top 8 rarest car you'll ever see

Supercars: they're pretty rare. Sometimes though, a particular model has such a tiny number produced, that you'll probably never see one outside of your favourite motoring site. Sadly, most of these end up safely tucked up in private collections, never to grace the tarmac again. Regardless, we think they're massively cool, but which of these poster boys would we want in our dream garage? We've compiled a list of our favourites, counting down to the rarest.

8. Maserati MC12

When it re-entered the motorsport scene after an absence of 37 years, Maserati did so with a bang. Wanting to take on the FIA GT Championship, Maserati borrowed the chassis and 6.0-litre V12 from the Ferrari Enzo and came up with this: the MC12. To satisfy homologation rules 55 were produced and flogged to wealthy customers at around £560,000. Number Produced: 55

7. Ferrari FXX

The Enzo-based, track-only FXX was something of an odd ownership proposition. Even though prospective owners had to stump up £2 million for each one, they're only allowed drive it when Ferrari wants them to, on specially organised track day events. You can understand the rationale behind nannying the owners a little bit, though. With the 6.0-litre V12 from the Enzo enlarged to 6.3-litres, the FXX blasts out an unholy 800bhp. Most importantly, as this is not a road-legal car, Ferrari are able to fit slick tyres, making the FXX devastatingly fast around a circuit. Number Produced: 30

6. Porsche 911 GT1

The 911 GT1 is another great example of why we should love homologation rules. Rather than develop a racing version of a supercar for GT championships as the likes of McLaren did, Porsche approached it from the other way round. It produced a full-on race car, then did just enough to convert it for road use. It's a tactic that's been reproduced many times since, as evidenced by the Maserati MC12. The rules stated at least 25 road-going versions needed to be sold, so Porsche built a couple more than was required, charging £550,000 for each one. The 3.6-litre turbocharged flat-six churns out a meaty 530bhp, which is enough to send the 911 GT1 from 0-62mph in 3.9 seconds, and on to a top speed of 190mph. Number Produced: Around 27

5. Mercedes CLK-GTR

After the death of the original format DTM series in 1996, Merc's motorsport guys needed a new challenge. That came in the FIA GT Championship. As with the 911 GT1, Mercedes would be able to build a car specifically for the series, but would need to deliver at least 25 road cars. That led to the birth of probably the most extreme road-going Mercedes ever built. Once the race car's 6.0-litre V12 was enlarged to 6.9-litres and the FIA restrictor removed, power was at 600bhp. Enough for 0-60mph in 3.6 seconds and a top whack of 200mph. Priced at £1 million a piece, it broke records for being the most expensive new car. Number Produced: 26 (20 Coupes, 6 Roadsters)

4. Lamborghini Sesto Elemento

Like the FXX, this thing is for track use only. And as track cars go, this one takes some beating. With a carbonfibre chassis, body, driveshaft and suspension components, the Sesto tips the scales at a featherweight 999kg. The car uses a tweaked, 562bhp version of the Gallardo's 5.2-litre V10, so it's blisteringly fast. And with so little to weigh it down, it's probably the most capable Lambo to cane around a track. Number Producded: 20

3. Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale

Alfa's drop-dead gorgeous 33 Stradale was based on the mighty Tipo 33 race car. Its diminutive 2.0-litre V8 developed about 230bhp, which doesn't sound like much, but in a 700kg car, that's a pretty damn potent figure. 0-60mph takes just 5.5 seconds and it'll top out at 160mph. Those are respectable figures today, but in 1967 when the Stradale was released, there was little quicker on the roads. Number Produced: 18

2. Lamborghini Veneno

After making the super-exclusive, super-expensive Sesto Elemento, Lambo upped the ante and made this Aventador-based monster. With just three coupes and three roadsters sold at £2.9 million each, it's difficult to think of many cars that are rarer or more expensive. The 6.5-litre V12 received a 50bhp hike over the Aventador, giving a massive power output of 740bhp. The body is the key part, however. The heavily sculpted front end of the Veneno acts as a giant wing, while the underside is smooth, helping channel air to a big diffuser at the back. Number Produced: 6 - 3 Coupes, 3 Roadsters

1. McLaren F1 LM

If the standard McLaren F1 wasn't extreme enough for you, there was always this: the McLaren F1 LM. Based on the legendary F1 GTR race car, the LM had the few creature comforts found in the F1 removed to save weight, and sat on much stiffer suspension. Aerodynamics also played an important part, with the LM getting the front splitter, rear diffuser and giant rear wing from the GTR. Lewis Hamilton was famously promised the XMP1 prototype car by Ron Dennis, providing he bagged three F1 Driver's titles for McLaren. Given that he's now at Mercedes and 'only' managed one title for McLaren, he's unlikely to be getting his hands on it any time soon.