Decisions, decisions. Buy a ridiculously detailed scale model of the first Japanese car to win a Formula 1 Grand Prix, or a real 1:1 Honda Civic Si? Both cost around $29,000, but only one can actually be driven. In honor of the 60th anniversary of their F1 win, Honda has just announced the most elaborate scale replica of the 1965 Honda RA272 ever made.
The model was created by Amalgam Collection, an extremely high-end maker of model cars, with subject matter typically collected by the one percent. We’re talking pre-war Bugattis, Bentley Blowers, Ferraris, post-war Bugattis, and Le Mans winners. They even offer a service that matches the model car to the owner’s actual vehicle — at a price, of course. The Honda is only the second Japanese car they’ve ever made, after the R35 Nissan GT-R.
To create the RA272, Amalgam sent a team to the Honda Collection Hall at Twin Ring Motegi to scan the car digitally. They also referenced hundreds of period photos of the car to recreate it exactly as it raced in the 1965 Mexican GP.
Then they developed molds, photo etchings, and CNC-machined metal parts, over 1,600 individual pieces in all. Even the internals of Honda’s 230-horsepower, 1.5-literr V12 engine have been replicated in painstaking detail. According to Honda, the process required over 4,500 hours.
Many of the parts are cast with prototyping resin using silicon rubber molds. These molds are good for only 20 to 30 parts before they can no longer be used. As such, only 30 of the 1:8-scale models will be produced. Each one measures nearly 19.5 inches long and takes 450 hours to put together.
If you don’t want to spend Civic Si money on a model car, you’re in luck. Amalgam is also offering a 1:18 scale model of the car. This version measures just under 8.7 inches and will cost a comparatively affordable $1,735. Amalgam will offer 300 units of this smaller model.
No matter which scale you choose, each one will come individually numbered. Also included are a display case, certificate of authenticity, and commemorative booklet signed by Honda Racing Corporation President Koji Watanabe. Both scales will go on sale on August 15 at The Quail during Monterey Car Week first, then online at the Amalgam Collection website.
Images courtesy of Honda.
