Ferrari 250 GTO - 3705GT - 1962 Le Mans Class Winner - Race Weathered

We are excited to introduce a new special edition of race weathered models: the Ferrari 250 GTO at 1:18 scale. Each model in this limited edition of 250 models is based on chassis 3705GT, as raced at the 24 Hours of Le Mans on the 23rd and 24th of June 1962 by Pierre Noblet and Jean Guichet. Every model has been meticulously hand-painted and detailed by our master model makers to show every detail of the race dirt as seen during one of the #19 car’s final pit stops. Every order will be accompanied by an archive quality Giclée print of the car during that pit stop, selected by Amalgam from the Motorsport Images collection.

The artistry applied to these 250 models exemplifies our commitment to creating beautiful hand-made pieces which fully capture both the spirit and precise appearance of iconic race cars. The original model was developed using data from a digital scan of an original Series 1 Ferrari 250 GTO, and the subsequent prototype model has been scrutinised by Ferrari Classiche to ensure complete accuracy of representation.

The ultimate expression of the 250 GT series, the Ferrari 250 GTO model was the car that encapsulated Ferrari’s philosophy best: achieving the highest level of performance and styling. Its famed charisma came not only from its innumerable racing victories but from the unique sum of its parts. A 2,953cc Columbo V12 engine coupled to a new 5-speed gearbox with a Sergio Scaglietti-designed body on top of a 250 GT chassis; the 250 GTO represented the pinnacle of 250 GT development in competition form, whilst remaining a legitimate road car. In recent years, original examples have repeatedly set price records. Chassis 3413 GT sold at auction in 2018 for $48.4 million and, later that same year, chassis 4153 GT was sold in a private sale for a reported $70 million.

The 250 GTO was built on a 2400mm wheelbase and, although the chassis was built along the same lines as the 250 GT SWB on which it was derived, it used smaller section tubing, with additional bracing for increased torsional rigidity. Four wheel disc brakes were fitted, with a cable-operated handbrake to the rear wheels. The 3-litre V12 power unit was essentially a 250 TR specification engine, producing a claimed power output of 300 bhp, which was paired with a new 5-speed, all synchromesh gearbox.

Early development of the new car was shrouded in secrecy, with Giotto Bizzarrini charged with developing a car to take on and beat the Jaguar E Type. On its first outing at Monza in September 1961, prior to the Italian Grand Prix, the 250 GTO earned the nickname ‘Il Mostro’ (The Monster), due to its rough-hewn and ill-fitting prototype body. During test sessions, Stirling Moss drove the car to record times far better than those ever achieved by a similar chassis. A ‘palace revolution’ followed later in the year, and Bizzarrini found himself on the outside, with the refinement of the GTO body now entrusted to Sergio Scaglietti, who created its definitive shape. The overall shape of the aluminium bodies designed and built by Scaglietti changed very little across the 36-car production run in 1962 and 1963, though the last three cars in the series, built in 1964, received Pininfarina-designed and Scaglietti-built bodies of a style very similar to that used on the mid-engine 250 LM sports racing car. Although the overall body shape didn’t alter to any great degree, the detail differences during the production run certainly did, as refinements were made across the car’s construction span.

Unveiled at the annual pre-season Ferrari press conference in January 1962, the 250 GTO was the sole front-engine model amongst a line-up of mid-engine racers. New owners needed to afford the $18,000 price tag, as well as be personally approved by Enzo Ferrari. On its maiden outing in the 12 Hours of Sebring Race, the 250 GTO, driven by Phil Hill and Olivier Gendebien, finished second overall to a Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa. It also won the GT category easily by a six-lap margin, an impressive debut performance that hinted at the dominant period to come. Ferrari would go on to secure the International Championship for GT Manufacturers comfortably in 1962 and 1963. The 250 GTO would complete the hat-trick in 1964 by smaller margin of six points, having only been caught by Shelby’s competitive AC Cobras (with much larger V8 capacity engines) during its last competitive year.

Amongst the numerous international successes of the 250 GTO were victories in the Tour de France in 1963 and 1964, extending Ferrari’s win streak to nine straight years; GT class wins in the Targa Florio in 1962, 1963 and 1964; victories in the Tourist Trophy at Goodwood in 1962 and 1963; with GT category wins at Le Mans in 1962 and 1963, and in the Nürburgring 1000 km in 1963 and 1964.

This fine 1:18 scale model is of chassis 3705GT exactly as raced at the 24 Hours of Le Mans on the 23^rd and 24^th of June 1962 by Pierre Noblet and Jean Guichet. The duo won the GT class comfortably, a huge twelve laps ahead of their closest rival, another 250 GTO run by Equipe Nationale Belge, and sixteen laps ahead of the nearest rival manufacturer. In fact, the #19 car finished second on the overall podium, only five laps behind the outright winners, Olivier Gendebien and Phil Hill in a Ferrari 330 TRI/LM. Noblet and Guichet’s victory sealed class victory for the Scuderia in the 1962 International Championship of Manufacturers after five consecutive victories for the marque in just five races. Despite having four races remaining, Ferrari could no longer be outscored. Ferrari continued this winning streak throughout every subsequent round, winning the championship with a maximum score of 45 points. Their closest rivals were Jaguar, who scored just 16 points.

This fine 1:18 scale model of the Ferrari 250 GTO has been handcrafted and finished in our workshops with the co-operation and assistance of Ferrari regarding original finishes, materials, archive imagery and drawings. The use of supremely accurate digital scanning of an original car has allowed us to perfectly recreate every detail at scale. Furthermore, it has undergone detailed scrutiny by both engineering and design teams to ensure complete accuracy of representation.

The race weathered Ferrari 250 GTO at 1:18 scale is limited to just 250 pieces.

Note: This is a 'Kerbside' model and does not any feature moving parts.

Handling Race Weathered Models

Please note that Amalgam’s weathered models are incredibly fragile and require careful handling. We recommend you keep handling to a minimum to avoid removing the weathered effects from the model. When handling the model, please adhere to the instructions included with the product when purchased. The brush featured in the gallery is included purely for demonstrating the scale of the model. We do not advise any cleaning of our weathered models as this may remove some of the weathering applications.