Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) announced the release of a premium scale model of the legendary Honda RA272 (chassis #103) Formula One race car, honoring the car that won Honda its first F1 victory at the 1965 Mexico Grand Prix. This meticulously crafted collector’s item, produced in partnership with Amalgam Collection, features authentic painted livery, hand-built bodywork, and more than 1,600 precisely engineered parts, including a fully replicated Honda V-12 engine, company officials stated in a press release.
The RA272 model will be available in two sizes: 1:8 scale, limited to just 30 examples ($28,995), and 1:18 scale, limited to 300 ($1,735). Each model will be accompanied by a bespoke display case, certificate of authenticity, and commemorative booklet signed by Honda Racing Corporation president Koji Watanabe. Both will be available for purchase during Monterey Car Week at The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering, Aug. 15, and Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion, Aug. 15-16.
Founded in 1985, Amalgam Collection produces the world’s most iconic and luxurious cars at scale, made using the finest quality materials. The Amalgam team traveled to the Honda Collection Hall in Motegi, Japan, to get accurate digital scans of the original car, which allowed them to perfectly recreate every detail at scale. In total, more than 4,500 hours were spent developing the model, with each one taking 450 hours to build, noted the release.
“This RA272 model is more than a tribute; it’s an invitation to own a piece of our motorsport history. Racing is deeply embedded in the DNA of Honda, and this model is a reminder where our success began,” said Watanabe.
“We are so excited to offer this unique piece of Honda racing history to the fans. The RA272 model is a great addition to the growing HRC collectibles, and we can’t wait for people to see it in person during Monterey Car Week,” added Meliza Humphrey, general manager, merchandise and memorabilia, HRC US.
RA272 Scale Model Details
- The patterns for the model were created using accurate digital scans captured in the Honda Collection Hall and hundreds of in-period photographs of the original car during the 1965 season and specifically as raced in the Mexico Grand Prix.
- The patterns were used to create silicon rubber molds that capture every detail.
- Prototyping resin has been used to cast the parts from the silicon molds. Around 20 to 30 parts can be cast from each mold before a new one must be created.
- Each 1:8 scale model is built from 1,600 parts, including castings, photo-etchings and CNC-machined metal components.
- Genuine car paints and archive color references were used to spray the bodywork.
- In total, around 4,500 hours were required to develop the tooling for the 1:8 scale model and 450 hours to cast, fit, fettle, paint and build each model.
About the Honda RA272 Formula 1 Race Car
Engineered for Honda’s sophomore season in Formula 1 racing, the RA272 replaced the RA271. Work on the V-12 began in 1962, before Honda had even sold a single car, by a team of motorcycle engineers led by Soichiro Honda himself. The RA272 was noted for its technically advanced 1.5-liter V-12 engine producing 230 horsepower, which was the most powerful engine in the sport at the time. The transverse-mounted engine was capable of 12,000 rpm and was renowned for its innovative engineering.
During the 1965 F1 season, Honda was only in its second year of automobile business. The Honda mid-engine RA272 shocked the world in October 1965 when it won the Mexico Grand Prix. The models are crafted to specifically show the chassis RA272F-103 as it was raced to victory by Richie Ginther. This was a car that changed history with that victory, as the first Japanese car, engine and team to win in F1. The RA272’s achievement inspired a new era of global respect for Japanese automotive technology and underscored Honda’s commitment to innovation and excellence on the world stage.