Image Credit: RM Sotheby's.Some supercars become famous because of their performance, while others earn legendary status through rarity and ambition. The 1988 Cizeta-Moroder V16T belongs firmly in the latter category, combining an extraordinary V16 engine with one of the most unusual origin stories in automotive history.Now, the only Cizeta-Moroder ever built is preparing to cross the auction block at RM Sotheby's Monterey sale. The prototype carries an estimated value of $1.4 million to $1.8 million and offers collectors the chance to acquire a truly one-of-a-kind machine.Unlike the production Cizetas that followed, this car is the sole example to wear the Cizeta-Moroder name. It also served as the original prototype, show car, and personal vehicle of music producer Giorgio Moroder.AdvertisementAdvertisementFrom its dramatic styling to its unique 16-cylinder powertrain, the V16T remains one of the most ambitious supercars of the late 1980s. Nearly four decades later, it continues to stand apart from virtually everything built before or since.A Dream Born From Lamborghini ExperienceImage Credit: RM Sotheby's.The V16T was the vision of Claudio Zampolli, a former Lamborghini test driver and development engineer who dreamed of building his own exotic car. After relocating to Los Angeles, he partnered with Academy Award-winning composer and producer Giorgio Moroder to turn that ambition into reality.To give the project unmistakable visual presence, legendary designer Marcello Gandini was commissioned to create the bodywork. Gandini had already penned icons such as the Lamborghini Miura, Countach, and Lancia Stratos, and the V16T carried his unmistakable wedge-shaped design language.The prototype debuted in Los Angeles on December 5, 1988, during a high-profile unveiling hosted by Jay Leno. Moroder even composed a dedicated soundtrack titled A Car Is Born specifically for the event, making the launch unlike almost any other in automotive history.A V16 Unlike Any OtherPower comes from a naturally aspirated 6.0-liter V16 mounted transversely behind the cabin. The unusual layout, inspired by the Lamborghini Miura, is paired with a five-speed manual transmission and produced a claimed 540 horsepower at 8,000 rpm.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe engine remains one of the car's defining features. Very few post-war production automobiles have ever featured 16-cylinder engines, placing the V16T in exceptionally exclusive company.Although only nine production cars were ultimately completed, this prototype differs substantially from every one of them. It features unique bodywork, larger side air intakes, different lighting, exclusive mirrors, and an entirely bespoke interior that was never carried over to customer cars.The Only True Cizeta-MoroderImage Credit: RM Sotheby's.The partnership between Zampolli and Moroder eventually came to an end before regular production began. As a result, every customer car that followed was simply badged as a Cizeta, making chassis 001 the only example ever to wear the combined Cizeta-Moroder name.Moroder retained ownership of the prototype for more than three decades before selling it in 2022. During that time, the car remained one of the most recognizable survivors from the short-lived Italian supercar project.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe prototype also appeared at the 1989 Los Angeles Auto Show and the Geneva Motor Show before returning to the spotlight at the 2024 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance as part of the special Wedge-Shaped Concept Cars and Prototypes class.Restored And Ready For Its Next ChapterThe V16T underwent a comprehensive mechanical restoration by Canepa in 2018 after recommendations from Jay Leno. Engineers improved several prototype details, added additional heat shielding, and thoroughly sorted the car mechanically while preserving its historical significance.More recently, over $13,000 was spent on additional servicing and cosmetic work to return the prototype to its original presentation. The work included refinishing selected body panels and recreating period-correct badges and trim.Adding another unusual twist, the sale also includes a one-of-one NFT created with Giorgio Moroder. It features an exclusive four-track music EP, a digital 3D rendering of the car, a complete 3D scan, and digitized provenance documentation.AdvertisementAdvertisementWhen it heads across the auction stage in Monterey, chassis 001 will represent far more than another rare exotic. It is a remarkable blend of Italian engineering, 1980s supercar excess, and music history wrapped into a machine that remains unlike anything else ever built.If you want more stories like this, follow Guessing Headlights on Yahoo so you don't miss what's coming next.