This beautiful car is a gleaming symbol of America's new gilded age in the heart of Seattle.

Because I am a sports car nerd, I instantly recognized it as Ferrari Enzo, one of only 400 ever produced. These cars have been sold in recent years for $1.75-$3.2 million. The Enzo, named after the founder of Ferrari, is a handbuilt mid-engined supercar powered by a 660 horsepower V-12 engine, propelling it from 0-60 in 3.14 seconds and to a top speed of 221 mph.

I've been to car shows and gawked at expensive, fast cars. But I'd never seen an Enzo before. I totally tripped out. I would love to drive one someday. I stopped, took a photo with my phone, then crossed the street to take more photos. One bystander gave the drivers a thumbs-up. The stoplight turned green, the engine let out a deep-throated burble, and the Enzo glided away.

While thrilled to see the car, another part of my brain began running calculations: Suppose the City of Seattle seized the Enzo and sold it off on auction. The proceeds would cover the cost, for example, of hundreds of shelter beds for the city's thousands of homeless. They would cover the cost of purchasing the city's troubled bike share program, allowing it to grow and expand to underserved areas of the city. Or the cost of offering all city employees twelve weeks of paid parental leave—as is standard in more egalitarian cities—instead of only four. Or a much greater investment in ending youth incarceration. The possibilities are many.

In 2014, a Bellevue-based investment manager who owns two (much cheaper) Ferraris told the Seattle Times, "I am a reflection of the market." I've reached out to the Capitol Hill Ferrari dealership to try to learn more about the Enzo and its owner. You have to be exceptionally rich to afford this particular Ferrari. I'll update if I hear back.