Probably the most unusual vehicle set to go under the hammer at Bonhams Monaco auction on May 18 will be lot #282, an rare example of the cheeky Ferves Ranger, a long-forgotten tiny off roader from the 1960s that was based on the underpinnings of the Fiat 500/600.

In 1966 at the Turin Motor Show, Ferves (Ferrari Veicoli Speciali) revealed a new 'off-road' variant based on the Fiat 500 and 600. The rear-mounted engine was an 18bhp Fiat 500 unit, the all independent suspension came from the Fiat 600D and all four wheels were driven. The open bodywork featured a folding windscreen and doors that could be fixed in the open position, and could seat four passengers. A Cargo pick-up version was also marketed.

In 1969 a new version, the Ranger Rallye, was introduced. This featured improvements to most areas as well as new fog lights, roll bar, protection for the front and rear lights. Production stopped in 1970 after about 600 examples had been built. The wheelbase was 1330mm for the two wheel drive version and 1550mm for the 4x4. Later examples had 5-speed gearboxes (with an extra-low ratio), the option of 4x2 drive and a locking differential.

The example offered by Bonhams has been in Adrien Maeght’s collection for 40 years and has been on display in the Museum since 1984. The vehicle is presented in original condition and will have been restarted prior to the sale.

Bonhams is returning to Monaco next Monday (May 18) for the 20th year in a row to conduct their exclusive annual auction in the Principality. This years sale is once again at the evocative motoring museum of HSH Prince Rainier III. For 2009 two collections, one that of a private French collector and another from a renowned Swiss enthusiast will be providing the nucleus of the sale, with sports and racing cars from the 50s through to the 90s by Ferrari, Maserati, Lamborghini, Jaguar and Porsche to name just a few of the prestigious marques.

These stunning and often extremely low mileage past concours winners or works racing cars have already been joined by what many consider one of the prettiest and most enjoyable of pre-war sports cars, a 1937 BMW 328, quoted on numerous occasions by connoisseurs as being a pre-war car that performs like if it were post-war.

Eligible for the most prestigious events on the planet ranging from the Mille Miglia to Le Mans Classic these gorgeous roadsters are often prized possessions of their custodians and do not reach the open market very often. Currently further entries include a rare 1963 Porsche 356 B Carrera 2 and a selection of the finest from Maranello, the first produced, ex-1966 Targa Florio 1966 Porsche 906 and three ultra rare Ferrari racers: an ex-Daytona 24 hours 333 SP sports prototype, an FIA GT Ferrari 575 GTC and one of only two ex-works examples of the legendary Ferrari F40 LM.

1968 Ferves Ranger; Chassis no. FUSO571; Estimate: €15,000 - 20,000