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Of the few supercars made for neither road or sporting regulations, this Pagani Zonda is an unlikely candidate. Only one was built from the ground up as a unique track-day special to perform as fast as Pagani could make it go.

The Monza first appeared at the 2004 Paris Motor Show where Pagani declared that it was not made for any specific racing series. Instead, it was specially ordered by an ambitious American customer interested in something entirely different. So, every aspect of the already impressive supercar was redone and it probably became Pagani's most expensive build to date.

From the outside, the Monza's motorsport potential is immediately obvious. It's large rear wing, wheel well vents, tow hook, carbon fibre roof and plexi windows do little to conceal the potential underneath.

In the engine bay is a dry-sump version of AMG's potent 7.3 liter V12 that is fixed rigidly to become an integral part of the carbon fiber chassis. Using new ceramic headers and an exhaust without silencers or catalysts, power is somewhere north of 600 bhp (447 kw) and transmitted to the rear wheels through a special synchronized gearbox with custom ratios and racing sintered clutch.

To help keep this power in check, all the suspension is updated to be more rigid with 5-way adjustable Ohlins shocks, larger Brembro discs and lightweight Speedline wheels with single locking nuts.

Inside, the Monza is strictly business with a stripped out interior that better reveals the beauty of Pagani's carbon fiber weave. Ingress is limited by a huge Sparco roll cage and deep racing seats. The driver is treated to a Motec digital display, resigned pedals and a unique steering wheel with controls for necessary features like the fire extinguisher, battery cutoff and pneumatic quick lifts.

After the Paris Show, the Monza was shipped to the USA, but not before fitting a larger adjustable rear wing. While in the US, it has been driven less than 30 miles and is currently being sold in new condition. For anyone interested in seeing or acquiring the sole Monza, it is available at Exotic Cars in Caesars Palace, Las Vegas with over $100,000 in spare parts.

Story by Richard Owen