Thought and developed for supremacy in Le Mans racing, Ferrari 250 GTO came to contradict the Enzo Ferrari's oft: „Aerodynamics are for people who can't build engines”. With form following function, this efficient shape is inadvertently one of the most voluptuous to grace a Ferrari chassis. Only 36 copies exist and all of them have colorful histories and some of them lost their engines or aluminium chassis long time ago. From 36 copies, can't be find 2 identical. I will not go into more details about the real car, since has a very intricate history and pedigree.
Being a car's design enthusiast, more than a racing or engineering addict, I always found this shape very attractive. Is the most beautiful Ferrari ever built, for me. |
As a model collector, the raw Bburago model was for a long time a priority, but it was already very rare or not in the best condition when came along. I had for the first the HW Elite version, not bad at all for its price and more superior to the rudimentary models already on the market: Bburago and Polistil. But, when Kyosho released their version I decided to go with it, appearing to be more delicate in matters of detailing and crafting.
This is the first version released by Kyosho and I will try to describe it to you in the following.
250 GTO benefits from the new package composed by a styrofoam box and a card protection, printed with the photos of the model. Inside, the modelcar comes with an opening tool. From the first sight, the model looks amazing, covered in a beautiful shade of „Rosso Ferrari”, applied in a consistent layer and without an extra glossy finish. The model appears to be well proportioned and the stance is spot on,with beautiful chromed ornaments and minimal gaps between the parts. Well put together overall, only the engine lid remains aligned too much to the left, in this case. Outside, the details are accurate and fine crafted,the lights are fixed clean, without visible rivets and nicely surrounded by fine chromed frames. The front grill is mesh covered, chromed and proudly wears the generous pricing horse logo, crafted as a single piece,only the three air vents were modeled, but not functional. On the hood we spot another pair of air vents, covered by metallic meshes and two transparent air intakes. The lid's safety pins are metallic, but not functional and the first thing not in tone with the general quality standards is the original leather straps that fix the bonnet on the real car,poorly represented by cheap plastic elements. All the logos are tampo applied and legible. Others elements to be nominated are the door and trunk handles or the fuel lid replicated as single parts and the legible tampoo applied logos. The absence of the real mesh over the lateral air vents, charachteristic to 250 GTO , is a big miss in my opinion, but I can't admire the accuracy of the exhaust pipes.
250 GTO benefits from the new package composed by a styrofoam box and a card protection, printed with the photos of the model. Inside, the modelcar comes with an opening tool. From the first sight, the model looks amazing, covered in a beautiful shade of „Rosso Ferrari”, applied in a consistent layer and without an extra glossy finish. The model appears to be well proportioned and the stance is spot on,with beautiful chromed ornaments and minimal gaps between the parts. Well put together overall, only the engine lid remains aligned too much to the left, in this case. Outside, the details are accurate and fine crafted,the lights are fixed clean, without visible rivets and nicely surrounded by fine chromed frames. The front grill is mesh covered, chromed and proudly wears the generous pricing horse logo, crafted as a single piece,only the three air vents were modeled, but not functional. On the hood we spot another pair of air vents, covered by metallic meshes and two transparent air intakes. The lid's safety pins are metallic, but not functional and the first thing not in tone with the general quality standards is the original leather straps that fix the bonnet on the real car,poorly represented by cheap plastic elements. All the logos are tampo applied and legible. Others elements to be nominated are the door and trunk handles or the fuel lid replicated as single parts and the legible tampoo applied logos. The absence of the real mesh over the lateral air vents, charachteristic to 250 GTO , is a big miss in my opinion, but I can't admire the accuracy of the exhaust pipes.
The wheels offer a beautiful view, because are carefully modeled and the result is very close to the real counterparts. Are featuring thin and chromed spokes, the air valve and a knock-off system, not functional, unfortunately and keep the different size for the rear axle. The tires are made of soft rubber, modeled with a specific profile for that era, but leak the marking on the side walls. The brake system isn't easily visible behind the wheels, but is presented, even if is not great detailed.
Inside, the GTO was very sparse and purposeful with no heater or sound deadening. As such, the only covered areas were the thinly clothed seats. This left the thin aluminum panels and steel tube frame naked in view. Neither a speedometer nor an odometer was included and the only luxury was the wooden Nardi steering wheel, featuring beautiful metallic photo etched spokes.
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Directly in front of the driver was a Borletti/Veglia 10,000 rpm tachometer which shared a binnacle with smaller temperature, fuel and pressure gauges, surrounded by chromed rings. I use the opening tool to operate the front lid and have a complete view of the engine. It is very nice modeled, put together from several single pieces, individually painted and customized. It is plumbed and wired and offers a beautiful view of the chromed 12 cylinders. On the back, opening the lid is visible a spare wheel, fixed with the same discordant rubber belts and the fuel tank's pipe.
The model appears to be well detailed underneath, where the engine, the gear box, suspension and the entire exhaust system is present and visible. Overall Kyosho made a good job in reproducing all the mechanical parts of the 250 GTO. |
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