CMC creates Ferrari’s most beautiful, the 250 GTO

The term “icon” is bandied about nearly as much as politicians promise tax cuts, but if you’re a Ferrari lover of a certain age, the 1962 250 GTO is likely the first car you think of when you hear “Ferrari” mentioned.

I know, I raced an HO version on my old Aurora slot car track as a kid and fell in love with Ferrari’s long, lean, muscular GTO immediately. Models and more slots followed, but now CMC does us GTO lovers the favor of re-creating the 1962 model in museum quality die-cast and perfectly sized in 1/18 scale. Oh, Baby!

The History

GTO’s backstory is that Enzo Ferrari was worried in 1961 that Jaguar’s sleek new E-Type was going to eat Ferrari’s lunch. So he set Giotto Bizzarrini to designing the 250 GTO, based on the 250 SWB Competizione’s chassis and using its solid Columbo V12.

But this one would have larger valves and create about 300 horsepower, use a 5-speed gearbox, add a new rear axle and thin aluminum body panels. Plus Bizzarrini would work with the University of Milan’s wind tunnel to improve aerodynamics. It worked, as top speed was 170 mph with a 5.0-second 0-to-60 mph mark.

The emotional Ferrari fired Bizzarrini later in 1961 in one of his many firing binges, yet the car proved a success. Top-notch drivers Phil Hill and Oliver Gendebien finished first in class at Sebring and second overall in the car’s first race. The 250 GTO won the GT manufacturer’s title 1962-’64. Overall, just 39 were made.
The Model

Another beautiful finish with precision fit. The silver review 250 GTO was flawless.

First the numbers, the CMC model has 1,841 parts with 1,215 being metal. The car also is available in yellow, blue and red (my choice); all are beautiful.

The V12 engine beneath the forward-opening hood is spectacular with wires, pipes and cables. The hood has a supporting rod plus leather belts and buckles to keep the hood down at speed, plus quick-release latches.

Other fine details include three removable covers for air intakes on the nose and a similar flap that opens for the coolant filler. There’s a flip-open oil-tank filler on the right side under the rear window and a chrome fuel cap opens on the tail, below the window.

The doors have metal handles and the trunk a chrome handle. Naturally everything opens. A spare tire fills the trunk, while the cockpit contains two blue cloth seats with leather trim and elaborate 4-way safety harnesses. The doors’ windows (Plexiglas in the original car) slide open too.

CMC delivers a beautifully detailed dash with glass-covered gauges you can read, wood three-spoke steering wheel with Ferrari logo on the hub and a flocked rear compartment with roll bar.

Lights front and rear are realistic, the front enclosed lights simulating four bolts to hold on their glass covers. In back are four chrome exhaust tips and the side mirror has a mirrored face. Even the metal windshield wipers have rubber blades. Who else goes to that much trouble for such a small detail?

Front and rear suspensions work and the wired wheels are beautiful, with a light alloy rim and stainless steel spokes. The wheels can be removed too as the Borrani central locking nuts can be loosened. Nuts are side-dependent, so don’t mix them up if you remove all four tires. Tires are treaded, but not branded.

CMC’s 250 GTO is another gem, and available in the four colors. Look for numbered racers next year. CMC usually launches the generic versions first, opting for specific, more historic racing versions later.

Purchase this and other CMC Ferraris at Racing Heroes.

1962 Ferrari 250 GTO

Mfg: CMC

Scale: 1/18

Stock No: M-151 (silver)

MSRP: $499