One-off Maserati Merak up for sale

Many moons ago on Top Gear, the presenters were posed with an indomitable question that had plagued mankind since ancient Greeks first coined the term ‘philosophia'. Can you buy a mid-engined Italian supercar for less than the price of a second-hand Ford Mondeo?

Clearly, you've got Dave, so you know the outcome. Yes you can, but no, you shouldn't. Really shouldn't. Here however, may we proffer up an example of one of the trio's supercars that is probably less likely to explode and sprinkle vital engine parts all over a hedge while careering to its explodey death. It's a one-off Maserati Merak, and it's coming up for auction.

Delivered to Carrosserie Saurer in Switzerland in 1984, this '75 Merak was the subject of a complete restoration, with a hand-crafted body built from aluminium styled to what Paul Saurer considered his ‘ideal hot Merak'. It's been finished in silver with red leather, and has been fitted with very rare and very expensive 12in front and 15in rear three-piece split rim alloys - with bespoke tyres - costing £600 each.

Underneath, the standard Merak running gear remains, so you get a 3.0-litre V6, some 190bhp (assuming no ponies have escaped, unlike Jezza's), rear-wheel-drive, independent suspension and a top speed of around 150mph. Fingers crossed it doesn't go pop.

It's being offered up at Silverstone Auctions' International Trophy Sale next month, and is expected to go for around £40,000, which is actually quite a bit more than a brand new Ford Mondeo. Fancy it? If not, tell us what you'd buy for less than the price of a second-hand Ford Mondeo...

Vijay Pattni

Watch the mid-engined Italian supercar challenge here