Torrance, CA

  • Limited-edition scale model expertly engineered and hand-built by a small team of craftsmen at Amalgam Collection
  • Produced in two sizes, 1:8 scale (Qty: 30) and 1:18 scale (Qty: 300), each individually numbered with certificate of authenticity and commemorative booklet signed by Honda Racing Corporation President, Koji Watanabe
  • Models will first be made available for purchase at The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering on August 15, before online sales begin

Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) is proud to announce the release of a premium scale model of the legendary Honda RA272 (chassis #103) Formula One race car – honoring the very 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 V12 engine.

The RA272 model will be available in two sizes: 1:8 scale, limited to just 30 examples ($28,995 USD1), and 1:18 scale limited to 300 ($1,735 USD1). 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 and Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion August 15-16.

1:8 Scale Model Components

1:18 Scale Model

Founded in 1985, Amalgam Collection produces unrivalled examples of 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.

"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." – Koji Watanabe, President, Honda Racing Corporation (HRC)

"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." – Meliza Humphrey, General Manager, Merchandise and Memorabilia, HRC US

RA272 Scale Model Details

  • The patterns for the model were created using extraordinarily 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 GP
  • 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 1600 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 RA272
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-litre V12 engine producing 230hp, which was the most powerful engine in the sport at the time. The transverse-mounted engine was capable of 12,000 screaming rpms and was renowned for its innovative engineering. During the 1965 F1 season, Honda was only in its 2nd year of automobiles business. The seemingly reckless challenge symbolized Honda's corporate culture of setting high goals and boldly taking on new challenges. 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.

About Amalgam Collection: 
Amalgam's team of craftspeople are recognized worldwide as makers of the finest hand-made large-scale models. Their work is unique in its attention to detail, with a focus on creating models that truly capture the style and spirit of each car. They have dedicated all their skill and passion to achieving a level of excellence that raises the impact and value of each finished piece far above anything previously created. 

For cars they have already modelled at 1:8 in a limited edition, the team at Amalgam offers a tailormade service, customizing a model to perfectly match the specification of an owner's real car. For owners of unique very high value cars, Amalgam Collection offers even bigger 1:5 or 1:4 ‘one-off' model builds from their UK workshops in Bristol, England. The team will digitally scan the car wherever it is in the world and take up to a thousand pictures of every detail, allowing them to perfectly and accurately replicate everything at scale. Given the significant number of hours required to develop a unique model, the costs are high, so the model is built at a very large scale to maximize the impact and detail, and to deliver the ultimate finished piece. 

Amalgam Collection's design, management and development heart is in England, with extraordinarily skilled and dedicated teams producing the bigger editions in Hungary and China. They are a multinational, multicultural team of craftsmen and women, dedicated to creating the world's most precise, beautiful, and exclusive models. Inspired by the F1 teams and iconic luxury car marques of England and Italy that they serve and partner with, they take huge pride in their mission to perfectly capture the designs, and honor the designers, drivers, and creators of the automotive art they love. 

1. Price is subject to change