- The 1:8 scale model from Amalgam of the Honda RA272 costs an eye-watering $28,995.
- A smaller 1:18 scale model is also available and will be capped at just 300 examples.
- Each model takes 450 hours to hand-assemble and replicates the race-winning 1965 car.
On October 24, 1965, Richie Ginther drove a Honda RA272 to victory at the Mexico Grand Prix, marking the very first F1 race win for the Japanese brand. To celebrate 60 years since this historic victory, Honda Racing Corporation has partnered with Amalgam Collection to create 1:8 and 1:18 scale models of the RA272, set to be unveiled during The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering as part of Monterey Car Week.
Read: Amalgam’s 1:8 Scale McLaren Senna Costs As Much As A New Toyota Corolla
Amalgam already produces some of the finest and most expensive scale models on the market, so it’s no shock that the Honda is pricey. The 1:8 scale version costs an eye-watering $28,995, although shoppers will be paying for exclusivity as just 30 units will be produced.
While that’s more than a brand-new Accord, in case you needed a dose of perspective, there’s another option. The 1:18 model is limited to 300 units, each priced at $1,735. All models come with a display case, a booklet signed by HRC president Koji Watanabe, and a certificate of authenticity.
Built from the Real Thing
To make the models as accurate as possible, digital scans were created of the actual car, while hundreds of photos were analyzed to ensure the model looks exactly the same as the one that raced in Mexico. The 1:8 version is built from more than 1,600 individual parts, and each takes 450 hours to cast, build, and paint. Speaking of paint, archive color references were used to mimic the original RA272.
Honda started work on the RA272 before it had even sold a single production car, and was solely a motorcycle manufacturer. A group of engineers developed a 1.5-liter naturally-aspirated V12, producing 230 hp and revving to 12,000 rpm. Amalgam’s model also features a replica of this very engine, fully exposed at the rear of the car.
“This RA272 model is more than a tribute, it’s an invitation to own a piece of our motorsport history,” Watanabe said. “Racing is deeply embedded in the DNA of Honda, and this model is a reminder where our success began.”
