The Ferrari P series were sports prototype racing cars produced in the 1960s and early 1970s.

Although Enzo Ferrari resisted the move even with Cooper dominating F1, Ferrari began producing mid-engined racing cars in 1960 with the Ferrari Dino-V6-engine Formula Two 156, which would be turned into the Formula One-winner of 1961.

Sports car racers followed in 1963. Although these cars shared their numerical designations (based on engine displacement) with road models, they were almost entirely dissimilar. The first Ferrari mid-engine in a road car did not arrive until the 1967 Dino, and it was 1971 before a Ferrari 12-cylinder engine was placed behind a road-going driver in the 365 GT4 BB.

The first of the P series was the 250P. This evolved into the 275P and 330P which basically had larger engines, but with the same open body style. The 250LM was built as a closed car in hopes of being eligible for the GT series, but insufficient cars were built to meet that specification. The 250LM did provide Ferrari's last win at LeMans in 1964.

With some changes in chassis and body, the 275P2 and 330P2 with the final car in the series for customers being the 365P2. After that, other cars had quite different body styles.

THE KIT

Record car kits are all superbly cast and while the company is no longer in business, their kits can still be found without too much effort. Of course, there is a problem when buying kits that are 15-20 years old or so and this one has issues that were unknown when I first got the kit a year or so back. This was one of several that I picked up for about $25 each (which is cheap by modern standards).

But first the kit. The resin bits are the upper body and the lower chassis plate which also includes a nicelyl done interior. Four resin wheel inserts are provided and there is a plastic steering wheel. The two fender fuel fillers are in cast metal. There are four cast rubber/vinyl tires, one of which has a lot of flash. There are two metal axles and body screws along with four turned aluminum wheels. A photo etch windscreen wiper is provided and the windscreen is in vacuformed plastic. Mine is a bit yellowed, but that happens with age. There are supposed to be two clear resin headlights and two clear resin turn signal covers. Not only has the resin yellowed considerably, but half the bits were missing. Not good as duplicating those will be difficult.

While I think these kits should have instructions and a decal sheet, none was supplied with mine. Since it is a racing car, this one should be one of a bewildering number of shades of Ferrari Red with only roundels and numbers as well as the Ferrari logo on the rear of the front fenders and forward hood.

CONCLUSIONS

While I am bummed out by the missing 'clear' bits and the lack of decals and instructions (which means I can't enter it in the club's OOB competition), the only part that will be difficult is the lights. I've asked about this on the forum and have gotten a lot of good ideas, none of which are as easy as simply gluing in the ready to go clear items! Though not as well known as some of the other Ferrari sports racers, it is an important part of Ferrari's racing history and deserves to be in any 1/43 racing car collection.

REFERENCES

KIT #:	085
PRICE:	Around $25.00 on the second hand market
DECALS:	None
REVIEWER:	Scott Van Aken
NOTES:	Resin with metal parts