1976 Ferrari 312 T2 (Niki Lauda)

       

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Made By:
IXO
Scale:
1/24
MSRP:
US$39.95
Overview:
Packaging (Design):7/10
Packaging (Durability):8/10
Casting (Body):10/10
Casting (Interior):9/10
Casting (Chassis):9/10
Casting (Engine):8/10
Paint (Exterior):10/10
Paint (Interior):9/10
Paint (Trim/Graphics):9/10
Overall Panel Fit:10/10
Total Score:8.8/10
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IXO Rush 1976 Ferrari 312 T2
IXO Rush 1976 Ferrari 312 T2 packaging IXO Rush 1976 Ferrari 312 T2 nose detail IXO Rush 1976 Ferrari 312 T2 cockpit IXO Rush 1976 Ferrari 312 T2 side detail IXO Rush 1976 Ferrari 312 T2 engine and chassis IXO Rush 1976 Ferrari 312 T2 rear

 
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Background

The 1976 Formula One season is widely regarded among the most dramatic seasons in the sport thanks to the intense competition between James Hunt of Great Britain and Niki Lauda of Austria, including a near-fatal crash by Lauda in the 12th race at the Nürburgring in West Germany. The events of this season were dramatized in the 2013 Ron Howard film Rush, starring Daniel Brühl as Lauda.

 

Packaging

IXO uses a plastic dome package similar to Fabbri Editori, but made of much sturdier material so it doesn't crush at the first opportunity and allows for a full 360° view of the car. The package itself isn't much to look at, though: the plastic dome is glued to a simple cardboard sheet printed in silvery gray with "Collectible product. Not suitable for children under 14 years." written in nine languages around the perimeter. The scale and manufacturing country are near two of the corners. Pull off the dome, and the legal information is exposed, and underneath is a small sticker acting as the official license from Ferrari. The car is held to a black plastic base via two screws, with a second clear plastic tray helping to support the car. "Ferrari 312 T2 - Niki Lauda - 1976" and the Formula One logo are printed across the edge of the base.

 

Casting/Paint

Two major parts make up the bulk of the body, with a host of smaller pieces added to great effect. It mixes diecast and plastic to get something both sturdy and beautifully detailed, and seams are along natural break lines so as to practically disappear. Every port, vent, intake, and contour is captured beautifully, and the external parts are fitted with Ferrari-like precision. The forward suspension arms tuck cleanly into the appropriate pockets on the body, and everything from the steering linkage to the quad exhaust ports is captured in fine detail. Up top is a blue tinted clear plastic windshield with a painted base. The wings are chrome-plated plastic, the mirrors and suspension parts are cast in black with detailed paint apps, and there's even a proper transparent red plastic brake light on the rear wing support.

The cockpit is limited but perfectly appropriate for the car and era with a deep seat, printed gauge cluster, and steering wheel complete with the Ferrari prancing horse in the middle. The pedals and shift lever are separate parts, properly located and painted. The only thing that holds this back from a perfect score are the seat belt, printed directly onto the seats and thus pretty flat looking.

The chassis is the correct flat pan with sharply detailed fasteners. The engine block is merely hinted at, being so deeply buried in the car, but it has separate exhaust pipes, beautifully detailed radiators, and the proper transverse gearbox complete with detailed inboard brakes. The four wheels are chrome plastic with gold painted centers and printed Good Year slicks in black vinyl.

All of this excellent casting is finished in an equally fantastic paint job. The base is a deep glossy red with stark white stripes and panels. Small details like the brake cooling ducts and roll bar are picked out in realistic metallic colors. Sponsor logos including Ferrari, Agip, Good Year, Heuer, Magneti Marelli, Charles Pozzi, Ferodo, Champion, Arexons, Pininfarina, SKF, Schmithelm, Speedline, and Koni are all sharply printed and nicely placed. The only fault I can find is a faint ghosting of the red band behind the white number panel behind the cockpit on each side. Overall, though, this is truly outstanding work.

 

Features/Accessories

An undocumented (and unintended) feature, but the front wheels are pegged in with friction pins and can be removed easily. This could make for a passable "pit stop" scene, but more practically it allows for some adjustment as far as how much play the front wheels have. My front left wheel was very stiff and looked to be installed off of plumb until I accidentally discovered this feature, but putting it back together with a little less force yielded a better stance and rolling ability.

 

Accuracy

The lines, the paint, the sponsor logos...everything here looks spot-on. As far as I can tell, IXO captured everything down to the fasteners. Scaling is a perfect 1/24.

 

Overall

IXO has really knocked this one out of the park. An excellent casting, beautiful detail, and pretty much perfect scale all for under $40. The only thing that holds it back is the somewhat sad packaging, but it does its job and arguably encourages buyers to get it out to properly admire IXO's work.

 

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