Ever wanted a microscopic multipurpose off-road car that’s not much larger than a lawnmower? Well have we got a truck for you. It’s a Ferves Ranger from 1967.
Ferves debuted the Ranger debuted at the 1966 edition of the Turin Motor Show. Built by Ferrari Veicoli Speciali, the Ranger was offered as a go-anywhere supermini. Underneath the very cutesy body was the chassis of a formerly cutesy Fiat 500. The Ranger borrowed its two-cylinder engine and the steering directly from the 500, and kept the engine’s location at the rear. All had manual transmissions, and the top speed was 45 miles an hour. Ferves needed a bit more than the 500 could offer in the areas of suspension and braking, so they turned to the 500’s larger brother, the 600.
Two body styles were available: A passenger version seated four, and a cargo version had no back seat. A removable windscreen was a standard feature on both versions, as was a removable roof and doors. Ferves made several changes over the production run of the Ranger, the most important of which was the 1967 addition of four-wheel drive. The style of the doors changed later in the run, as standard front-hinged versions replaced the suicide doors.
Production of the Ranger lasted through 1971. Just 600 total units were manufactured during that time, all of which were left-hand drive. It’s estimated there are around 50 examples left, and maybe 10 of those have made their way into the United States.
Today’s Rare Ride is road cone orange, and in lovely condition. With under 12,000 slowly-traveled miles, this one’s still located in its home country of Italy. It’s on the border of the four-wheel drive availability, but the 1966 build date means it’s likely rear-drive. Your around-town Ferrari lawnmower asks $39,000 or best offer.
[Images: seller]
F O R T Y L A R G E ! ?
Are you high?
Reminds me of an ad someone put up on a bulletin board at work (circa 1986), for a ’77 T-Bird, asking price $6500. Someone wrote “your on drugs” on it. Lol.
I saw this on Classic Car.com, laughed and moved on. It’s embarrassing what people are asking for any vehicle deemed to be “rare” or “unusual”
I don’t find any info on what the body is made from, but it looks like aluminum.
One of these sold at a RM Sotheby’s auction in London in 2015, for £29,120 including fees ($36,228).
https://rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/lf15/london/lots/r143-1973-ferves-ranger/180882
DUKE
DOES THAT MEAN I M THE ONE WHO’S HIGH?
Wikipedia says the maximum speed is 45 mph. Not with me in it!
Why, are you that heavy? ;-)
This is probably one of the least documented Rare Rides thus far. Even the Lane Motor Museum page has misinformation.
I also wonder -why- the special Ferrari division made these.
I’d have to think it was to keep the line running or something like that.
I’d have tonight they were plenty busy with beautiful things in 65, but maybe not.
250 build on Monday, Ranger Tuesday.
Keeps ’em on their toes.
This would be the talk of the town at any retirement community.
Down at Del Boca Vista!
HAHAHAHAHA!
Well played, sir!
“My parents didn’t want to move to Florida, but they turned sixty and that’s the law.”
Leave it to the Italians to build a Gator with style.
Drove a really early 5 wheel single seat Gator when they were the newest thing in the John Deere showroom.
That was more fun than a late teens boy should be allowed to have.
The bends and curves in the body panels are unusual for an off-road vehicle. It probably served to help keep the artisan’s skills in tune.
I think it’s cute, and for two or three grand it would be a fun toy for someone. The extra significant figure, however, doesn’t help.
So for less than $40k the purchaser can tell everybody that he owns a low mileage, vintage Ferrari convertible?
Add “ultra rare” to the description. Daytona? Pah, much too common. ;-)
The Ferrari “Lawrence Welk Village” edition!
Well, aside from the ridiculous asking price, it is an unusual and interesting vehicle. It seems similar to the U.S. Crosley Farm-O-Road and Crofton Tug or the Suzuki Brute (an ancestor of the Samurai). Where I live now, licensed ATVs can be driven on city streets (but not highways) and they are larger, and more car-like, than vehicles like this. Kind of weird situation with large ATVs and small SUVs merging.
Still better than the new Chevy Blazer.
It looks ridiculous .
I love it .
-Nate