An extremely rare 1970 Monteverdi Hai 450 SS Coupe prototype is gearing up to on the auction block at the end of this month. As the signature item of Bonhams’ Retromobile sale in Paris on January 23, this car is certain to attract every car enthusiast out there.

Expected to go for upwards of €500,000 ($750,000), this model was designed by Swiss businessman Peter Monteverdi in an effort to combat Ferrari and was one of the first mid-engine supercars to be assembled. The rare car “represented the pinnacle of the contemporary avant-garde performance car thinking” when it was first exhibited. Capable of getting over 176 mph and  0 – 60 in 4.7 seconds, it cost twice as much as an Aston Martin at the time it was built.

Besides the rare coupe prototype, the other cars expected to steal the show at this auction include 1930 Bentley Le Mans-style Tourer; a 1929 Mercedes-Benz 630K “Town Car” and a 1920 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost 40/50HP Double Phaeton.

[Bonhams]