This ’60s Microcar by Ferrari Is Tough, Cute, and Classic—and It’s Headed to Auction
The very rare sunshine-yellow Ferves Ranger, a 1960s design by Carlo Ferrari, will be up for grabs in May.
The very rare sunshine-yellow Ferves Ranger, a 1960s design by Carlo Ferrari, will be up for grabs in May.
Whether or not you’re a fan of tiny things—from homes to campers—there is a good chance this darling microcar by Carlo Ferrari will make you smile. Known as the Ferves Ranger—‘Ferves’ being an acronym built from the first letters of Ferrari Veicoli Speciali—the peppy off-roader was first unveiled at the 1966 Turin Motor Show in Northwest Italy.
The two-wheel drive Ferves Ranger, soon headed to auction, dates back to 1968 and is currently located on Amelia Island in southern Florida. One of approximately 50 known survivors, the restored tiny car is a true Italian oddity—and one eager for adventure.
Photo by Rafael Martin, courtesy of RM | Sotheby's
Though the car is undoubtably cute, rest assured it sports form and function. Ferrari crafted the durable Italian vehicle to have both off- and on-road capabilities: It features independent front and rear suspension, an air-cooled, two-cylinder engine, and a four-speed manual transmission. He also designed it to be super lightweight, so owners could push, pull, or slide the car, if needed.
Dressed in a vibrant shade of yellow, the retro off-roader features a black convertible top, roll-up side windows, and a rear-mounted spare tire.
Photo by Rafael Martin, courtesy of RM | Sotheby's
At the 1966 Turin Motor Show, two models of the Ferves Ranger were revealed: a two-wheel drive variant and a four-wheel drive variant. In both, a variety of Fiat parts were used for the cars’ makeups, including pieces from the Fiat 500 and Fiat 600D. Ferrari also kept the exterior simple, relying on steel and aluminum for the frame. All these design decisions make the vehicle relatively easy to repair and maintain.
The Ferves Ranger is a convertible in the truest sense: The top comes off completely, the front windshield drops down, and the doors can be removed.
Photo by Rafael Martin, courtesy of RM | Sotheby's
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