New at Old Irish Racing

Thanks Tom!  I had resisted this one, but being on sale pre-Christmas was the clincher.  😀

You are of course correct sir and thanks!

Yes, and you certainly know great design!  😀


I thought you did.  I have only seen a Stratos race once and it was not this car, but still remember the great sound at flat chat.
Thanks Jeff!  The fact that it was on sale convinced me to get it, but the more I re-read about Toly, the more appeal it took on.  I am going to make this part of one of my Signature Project pieces early next year.

Brilliant addition Jerry! What a life some people seek and live...running in the Daytona 24 and 5 times at that!!! Also would like to hear more about your Ferrari driving experiences? The 360 and what other model? That's an experience I too would like to have have at least once while roaming the planet.

Ferrari Can Am - Starting the New Year off with a couple Ferrari models isn't a bad way to kick off the next trip around the sun.  Picked from Grand Prix Models recent 'Rarities' section, these models tick off several boxes for me.  In particular, it helps me complete my collection of Ferrari Can Am cars.

Ferrari 512 S - Watkins Glen Can Am, 1970 - MG Models



One of the 25 512s built by Ferrari, this car (Ch. #1042) was driven by a who’s-who of Ferrari drivers in 1970. Vaccarella, Giunti, Amon, Ickx, Surtees and Schetty all had turn behind the wheel. Its first race was at Sebring where Jacky Ickx set fastest lap in the car and a blown head gasket cost Ferrari a 1-2 finish. Fortunes changed at Monza where the trio pf Vaccarella/Giunti/Amon finished 2nd in the car. John Surtees drove the car to a third-place finish and class win at the Nurburgring 1000 Km. The car was then sent to America to contest the FIA races and Can Am there.



At Watkins Glen, Mario Andretti qualified the car in 2nd and he and Ignazio Giunti drove the car to a 3rd place finish behind the Porsche 917s which were starting their endurance car dominance. The next day, Andretti drove the car in the 200-mile Can Am race, a race notable for the introduction of the Chaparral 2J. Despite being down on power the endurance cars did well. Andretti qualified the car 5th and finished 5th behind the McLaren of Hulme and three 917s. Its final race was at Imola where the car retired. This is the Watkins Glen Can Am livery.



Ferrari 712 Can Am - Road America, 1972 - Mysterious Models





Starting life as a 512 S (Ch. 1042) in 1970, this car was campaigned by Ferrari in Europe and America with mixed results, until IckX and Giunti drove to 1st place at Kylami after it had been converted to M specification. It was converted to 712 specifications in early 1971 and Arturo Merzario drove to first place at Imola. It then underwent yet another transformation, as it was converted to 712 Can Am specification to pit its 7.0L V12 (750 bhp) engine against the latest McLarens and Porsche Can Am cars. It became the biggest, meanest, wildest Ferrari sports racer made.





After a 4th place finish at Watkins Glen with Mario Andretti at the wheel, the 712 Can Am car was sold to N.A.R.T. to run in the Can Am in 1972 It was a car sadly in need of development. Andretti was lucky to finish the race at all after the rear wing came off and he refused to drive the car again, stating it was one of the worst cars he had ever driven. NART enlisted Jean-Pierre Jarier to drive it at the Watkins Glenn Can Am where he managed a 10th place finish. Jarier made recommendations to improve the cars downforce and finished 4th at Road America, a significant achievement against the Porsche and McLarens. This is the car as it ran at Road America in 1972.

Mysterious Models is a new brand in my collection.  I believe that the models are made by MG Models and that Mysterious adds additional details to the MG Model.  The models come in almost identical boxes, with identical cases and base plates.  Anyone familiar with the brand?

Yes, those are both great- the cars and the models. Fab additions!

If there is ever a Ferrari that grabs my attention it's a 512 very closely followed by a 712.  I do like MG models too.  Stunning. 

712 with the fins is outstanding.

Enrico's Ferrari - This model is not new and May have appeared on the Forum already.  I wasn't sure when it was released I needed another 250 GT based Ferrari, but when it turned up on an inventory clearance sale, I couldn't resist.  Undoubtedly it was more popular among collectors in red and silver, the subsequent colors of the car, but I really like it in white.  Besides, I have enough red and silver production Ferraris, the white is nice.    Another fine one-off Ferrari by Matrix.

1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta Bertone - Matrix

Dr. Enrico Wax was one of the richest men in Italy, whose business was importing spirits such as Johnny Walker and Moet et Chandon, but whose passion was Ferrari. A personal friend of Enzo Ferrari, Wax told his friend of his desire to have a car with special features. A very valued customer, Ferrari showed Wax the three 250 GT SWB chassis under construction in the Competition Dept. and Ch. 1739GT, the third chassis built was sold to Wax. The car was sent to Bertone to be bodied in an alloy shell with and finished with a luxury leather interior.





Design of the car was given to then 21-year old Giorgetto Giugario who would go on to form ItalDesign. He made a a clamshell front end, which allowed the front fenders and hood to be tilted forward. The car also had its competition tuned, polished and ported 3.0L V12 engine, which produced 280 HP. The car also featured Ferraris first rear window defroster and a custom dash with central placement of the speedometer and tachometer. It was also the fist use of Campagnolo magnesium wheels on a Ferrari. Finished in white with its brushed stainless steel roof, the car was exhibited at the 1960 Turin Motor Show.