Dinky Toys, France 1432 Ferrari 312P 4
In 1967 Dinky Toys, France introduced the first of their 1400 series model car range. Represented in this series were cars from France, Germany, USA and Italy plus, unusual at the time for a European company, the USSR and Japan. Included were ordinary saloons, sports cars, competition cars and Grand Prix racing cars. The Ferrari 312P, the subject of this photo, was one of the two competition cars in the 1400 series and was issued in June 1970. The other, a Matra 630 Le Mans (1425), was introduced in 1969. A further competition car, a Porsche 917, was scheduled for release as number 1431 in 1970. The Porsche 917 took pride of place on the cover of the 1970 catalogue alongside the Ferrari 312P and was also pictured on page 3. Unfortunately, what would have been a fine addition to the 1400 series was never released.
The first area that comes to mind for this Ferrari 312P is the finesse and quality that Dinky Toys, France implemented for what is essentially a toy car. Placing this besides, for example, a modern Marsh Model hand built and this ‘toy’ Ferrari can still hold its own in such company. However, the original purpose for this Ferrari was not for display on a collectors shelf but to be played with and to this end it required certain features. In the catalogue two were highlighted, one was conventional, that of opening doors, and the other was brand new to Dinky Toys, France. To combat the raise of the ‘fast wheels’ this Ferrari featured ‘Super Rapide’ ‘Speedwheels’ which allowed the toy to run a considerable distance by virtue of thin axles that were pioneered by Mattel and used on their ‘Hot Wheels’ toy cars. However, unlike the generic wheel hub used on ‘Hot Wheels‘ these ‘Super Rapide’ ‘Speedwheels‘ hubs were miniature replicas of Ferrari’s five-spoke alloy hubs and the tyres were still removable. The Ferrari originally came with a promotional leaflet, model specific leaflet, decal application instructions, a sheet of decals for application and a road sign. The competition number 60 was factory applied and represents the car that raced at the BOAC International 500 where it finished fourth. Personally, all the numbers I have seen are 60 but in the 1970 catalogue the car pictured has race number 25. This was the number on the car which came second overall and first in the 3L category at the Sebring 12 Hours in 1969.
The 1400 series effectively came to a conclusion in 1971 with the issue of the last three models. In 1974 an arrangement with Pilen was made and examples of Dinky Toys, France models from that year were made in Spain until this deal ended in 1980. Unfortunately, this Ferrari wasn’t included in Pilen’s production.
This Ferrari is posed on a I’Eau Rouge diorama base D29A.
Notes about the real deal
The Ferrari 312P spider was introduced in 1969 and three were built. With its 3L engine it was planned to compete in the CIA Group 6 category. This car used the engine that powered the Grand Prix cars but was set up for endurance races. This competition car was capable of speeds of just under 200mph. The spyder (open) version had a relatively short competition period of just a few months in the spring of 1969 and two of the three built were converted into a berlinetta (closed) style body in early June in time for the Le Mans race.
During 1969 a 312P spider, racing number 25, came second overall and first in the 3L category at the 12 Hours of Sebring held 22nd March. Then at the Spa 1000 km held on 11th May it also finished second, racing number 8. At the Le Mans test weekend held on 29/30th March 1969 the 312P spyder performed poorly. This led to an eventual re-design with a berlinetta body which improved aerodynamics needed on the long straights at the Le Mans circuit. At the BOAC International 500 World Championship Sportscar Race held on 13th April a 312P spider finished fourth, racing number 60. This happens to be the same number on the Dinky Toys, France Ferrari 312P. A couple of weeks after a 312P spyper was written off as a result of an accident during the 1000 km race at Monza.
The two remaining 312P’s spyders were converted into berlinettas in time for Le Mans held on 14/15th June. One retired after an accident on the first hour and the other retired due to gearbox failure after competing for 16 hours.
Please do not use this image on websites, blogs or other media without my permission. Thanks.
Chris
Dinky Toys, France 1432 Ferrari 312P 4
In 1967 Dinky Toys, France introduced the first of their 1400 series model car range. Represented in this series were cars from France, Germany, USA and Italy plus, unusual at the time for a European company, the USSR and Japan. Included were ordinary saloons, sports cars, competition cars and Grand Prix racing cars. The Ferrari 312P, the subject of this photo, was one of the two competition cars in the 1400 series and was issued in June 1970. The other, a Matra 630 Le Mans (1425), was introduced in 1969. A further competition car, a Porsche 917, was scheduled for release as number 1431 in 1970. The Porsche 917 took pride of place on the cover of the 1970 catalogue alongside the Ferrari 312P and was also pictured on page 3. Unfortunately, what would have been a fine addition to the 1400 series was never released.
The first area that comes to mind for this Ferrari 312P is the finesse and quality that Dinky Toys, France implemented for what is essentially a toy car. Placing this besides, for example, a modern Marsh Model hand built and this ‘toy’ Ferrari can still hold its own in such company. However, the original purpose for this Ferrari was not for display on a collectors shelf but to be played with and to this end it required certain features. In the catalogue two were highlighted, one was conventional, that of opening doors, and the other was brand new to Dinky Toys, France. To combat the raise of the ‘fast wheels’ this Ferrari featured ‘Super Rapide’ ‘Speedwheels’ which allowed the toy to run a considerable distance by virtue of thin axles that were pioneered by Mattel and used on their ‘Hot Wheels’ toy cars. However, unlike the generic wheel hub used on ‘Hot Wheels‘ these ‘Super Rapide’ ‘Speedwheels‘ hubs were miniature replicas of Ferrari’s five-spoke alloy hubs and the tyres were still removable. The Ferrari originally came with a promotional leaflet, model specific leaflet, decal application instructions, a sheet of decals for application and a road sign. The competition number 60 was factory applied and represents the car that raced at the BOAC International 500 where it finished fourth. Personally, all the numbers I have seen are 60 but in the 1970 catalogue the car pictured has race number 25. This was the number on the car which came second overall and first in the 3L category at the Sebring 12 Hours in 1969.
The 1400 series effectively came to a conclusion in 1971 with the issue of the last three models. In 1974 an arrangement with Pilen was made and examples of Dinky Toys, France models from that year were made in Spain until this deal ended in 1980. Unfortunately, this Ferrari wasn’t included in Pilen’s production.
This Ferrari is posed on a I’Eau Rouge diorama base D29A.
Notes about the real deal
The Ferrari 312P spider was introduced in 1969 and three were built. With its 3L engine it was planned to compete in the CIA Group 6 category. This car used the engine that powered the Grand Prix cars but was set up for endurance races. This competition car was capable of speeds of just under 200mph. The spyder (open) version had a relatively short competition period of just a few months in the spring of 1969 and two of the three built were converted into a berlinetta (closed) style body in early June in time for the Le Mans race.
During 1969 a 312P spider, racing number 25, came second overall and first in the 3L category at the 12 Hours of Sebring held 22nd March. Then at the Spa 1000 km held on 11th May it also finished second, racing number 8. At the Le Mans test weekend held on 29/30th March 1969 the 312P spyder performed poorly. This led to an eventual re-design with a berlinetta body which improved aerodynamics needed on the long straights at the Le Mans circuit. At the BOAC International 500 World Championship Sportscar Race held on 13th April a 312P spider finished fourth, racing number 60. This happens to be the same number on the Dinky Toys, France Ferrari 312P. A couple of weeks after a 312P spyper was written off as a result of an accident during the 1000 km race at Monza.
The two remaining 312P’s spyders were converted into berlinettas in time for Le Mans held on 14/15th June. One retired after an accident on the first hour and the other retired due to gearbox failure after competing for 16 hours.
Please do not use this image on websites, blogs or other media without my permission. Thanks.
Chris