Motorcar Miniatures
Ferrari 1958 Tipo 246 F1 "Hawthorn" French Grand Prix - Reims-Gueux
Exoto XS 1:18 Scale
1958 Ferrari Tipo 246 F1
No. 4, driven by Mike Hawthorn, Winner
French Grand Prix, Reims-Gueux, July 6, 1958
The Tipo 246 F1 was introduced in the 1958 Formula One season and was the last front engine car to win the Formula One Grand Prix with Mike Hawthorn taking home the title of World Driver’s Champion. The Tipo 246 F1 used a 2,417 cc Dino V6 engine. It was named the Dino name in memory of Enzo Ferrari’s son, Alfredo “Dino” Ferrari. Alfredo had discussed the design of the unique engine with engineer Vittorio Jano while in the hospital.
This release is the third release from Exoto's XS line of precision-engineered models after the 1961 Tipo 156 and 1951 Alfa Romeo Tipo 159 and 159M.
This model represents the number 4 car driven by Mike Hawthorn in the French Grand Prix at the Reims-Gueux course in Reims, France on July 6, 1958. Hawthorn, who hadn’t won a race since the 1954 Spanish Grand Prix, held the pole position with 2:21.7 and achieved the fastest lap at Reims at 2:24.9 on the 8.302km (5.159 mile) course. He won the race for Scuderia Ferrari finishing fifty laps in just over two hours and three minutes, gaining nine points. He finished just 24.6 seconds ahead of Stirling Moss in his number 8 Vanwall VW5. Teammates Woflgang von Trips and Peter Colins came in third and fifth. The victory was overshadowed by the death of fellow teammate, Luigi Musso, who crashed on lap nine in a fatal accident. This would also be Hawthorn’s last Formula One victory, having died the following winter in fatal car accident just after retirement.
The number 4 car is a limited edition of 1,958 pieces. Exoto has so far announced or released Luigi Musso’s number 34 car and Phill Hill’s number 4 car from the Grand Prix of Monaco, Wolfgang von Trips number 4 car from the German Grand Prix, Olivier Gendebien’s number 20 yellow car from the Belgium Grand Prix, and a rolling chassis, each limited to 333 pieces. Other releases include the Works Prototpye version in Authentic Red and a Phil Hill Prototype version, both limited to 58 pieces, of which the Hill version is retired. Exoto recently announced 3 new releases, Peter Collin’s number 1 car from the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, and Mike Hawthorn’s number 14 car and Phill Hill’s number 18 Italian Grand Prix cars, each limited to 333 pieces.
Exoto’s web site indicates the XS line of models are finished in automotive-grade paint used on Porsche automobiles. As with previous XS releases, noble materials are abundant! The Tipo 246 features intricate metal wire wheels that are attached to the axles with directionally specific spinners. The wheels feature miniatures valve stems along with a spring weight on a spoke of each wheel. This release also features directionally specific semi-pneumatic tires with Englebert brand and arrow markings with a period correct tread pattern.
The cockpit is again superbly presented with legible gauges, a removable velour covered seat with leather piping, and functional accelerator, brake, and clutch pedals with spring tensioners. Part of the process of assembling this model includes installation of an intricately engineered metal transaxle cover that you place on the floorboard of the cockpit. The driver’s seat also sits atop this mesh piece and completes the look of the driver’s cockpit. The car is assembled into four main parts. The front is assembled from the body, separate nose, and engine cover. The nose features magnetic attachments to the undercarriage and is also held on when fastened to the removable engine hood. The paper-thin engine hood features a body colored intake as opposed to some that feature the clear intake. This hood is secured in place by four anchors. Under the hood is the furiously detailed fully wired and plumbed V6 engine. The engine even features aluminum machine turned velocity stacks with functional butterfly valves! The rear fuel tank is made from press formed stainless steel. The rear fuel tank cover easily attaches and features miniature magnets to keep it secured. The removable gas tank filter slides neatly into place to help keep the rear fuel tank cover attached to the body. The cover features a hinged door to reveal a machined turned brass oil tank cap.
Exoto’s XS line of models continues to amaze me with what is possible in this scale. The classic Formula One cars are perfect images to showcase all that goes into these models with their removable body pieces and open layout. Exoto has announced their next XS release is the Jaguar D-Type Short Nose, which they’ve stated will be here by December.
Bryan Miranda
Motorcar Miniatures, November 2012
Ferrari 1958 Tipo 246 F1 "Hawthorn" French Grand Prix - Reims-Gueux
Exoto XS 1:18 Scale
1958 Ferrari Tipo 246 F1
No. 4, driven by Mike Hawthorn, Winner
French Grand Prix, Reims-Gueux, July 6, 1958
The Tipo 246 F1 was introduced in the 1958 Formula One season and was the last front engine car to win the Formula One Grand Prix with Mike Hawthorn taking home the title of World Driver’s Champion. The Tipo 246 F1 used a 2,417 cc Dino V6 engine. It was named the Dino name in memory of Enzo Ferrari’s son, Alfredo “Dino” Ferrari. Alfredo had discussed the design of the unique engine with engineer Vittorio Jano while in the hospital.
This release is the third release from Exoto's XS line of precision-engineered models after the 1961 Tipo 156 and 1951 Alfa Romeo Tipo 159 and 159M.
This model represents the number 4 car driven by Mike Hawthorn in the French Grand Prix at the Reims-Gueux course in Reims, France on July 6, 1958. Hawthorn, who hadn’t won a race since the 1954 Spanish Grand Prix, held the pole position with 2:21.7 and achieved the fastest lap at Reims at 2:24.9 on the 8.302km (5.159 mile) course. He won the race for Scuderia Ferrari finishing fifty laps in just over two hours and three minutes, gaining nine points. He finished just 24.6 seconds ahead of Stirling Moss in his number 8 Vanwall VW5. Teammates Woflgang von Trips and Peter Colins came in third and fifth. The victory was overshadowed by the death of fellow teammate, Luigi Musso, who crashed on lap nine in a fatal accident. This would also be Hawthorn’s last Formula One victory, having died the following winter in fatal car accident just after retirement.
The number 4 car is a limited edition of 1,958 pieces. Exoto has so far announced or released Luigi Musso’s number 34 car and Phill Hill’s number 4 car from the Grand Prix of Monaco, Wolfgang von Trips number 4 car from the German Grand Prix, Olivier Gendebien’s number 20 yellow car from the Belgium Grand Prix, and a rolling chassis, each limited to 333 pieces. Other releases include the Works Prototpye version in Authentic Red and a Phil Hill Prototype version, both limited to 58 pieces, of which the Hill version is retired. Exoto recently announced 3 new releases, Peter Collin’s number 1 car from the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, and Mike Hawthorn’s number 14 car and Phill Hill’s number 18 Italian Grand Prix cars, each limited to 333 pieces.
Exoto’s web site indicates the XS line of models are finished in automotive-grade paint used on Porsche automobiles. As with previous XS releases, noble materials are abundant! The Tipo 246 features intricate metal wire wheels that are attached to the axles with directionally specific spinners. The wheels feature miniatures valve stems along with a spring weight on a spoke of each wheel. This release also features directionally specific semi-pneumatic tires with Englebert brand and arrow markings with a period correct tread pattern.
The cockpit is again superbly presented with legible gauges, a removable velour covered seat with leather piping, and functional accelerator, brake, and clutch pedals with spring tensioners. Part of the process of assembling this model includes installation of an intricately engineered metal transaxle cover that you place on the floorboard of the cockpit. The driver’s seat also sits atop this mesh piece and completes the look of the driver’s cockpit. The car is assembled into four main parts. The front is assembled from the body, separate nose, and engine cover. The nose features magnetic attachments to the undercarriage and is also held on when fastened to the removable engine hood. The paper-thin engine hood features a body colored intake as opposed to some that feature the clear intake. This hood is secured in place by four anchors. Under the hood is the furiously detailed fully wired and plumbed V6 engine. The engine even features aluminum machine turned velocity stacks with functional butterfly valves! The rear fuel tank is made from press formed stainless steel. The rear fuel tank cover easily attaches and features miniature magnets to keep it secured. The removable gas tank filter slides neatly into place to help keep the rear fuel tank cover attached to the body. The cover features a hinged door to reveal a machined turned brass oil tank cap.
Exoto’s XS line of models continues to amaze me with what is possible in this scale. The classic Formula One cars are perfect images to showcase all that goes into these models with their removable body pieces and open layout. Exoto has announced their next XS release is the Jaguar D-Type Short Nose, which they’ve stated will be here by December.
Bryan Miranda
Motorcar Miniatures, November 2012