Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) has introduced a highly detailed scale model of the iconic Honda RA272 Formula One car, commemorating its debut victory at the 1965 Mexico Grand Prix. The Honda RA272 limited edition model pays tribute to this landmark event by offering collectors a carefully crafted replica featuring authentic painted livery and a fully replicated Honda V12 engine.
Produced in collaboration with Amalgam Collection, these models highlight Honda’s motorsport heritage through immense precision and craftsmanship. The release is timed to coincide with major automotive events held during Monterey Car Week in mid-August 2023.
Two Sizes Available with Meticulous Detail and Exclusive Features
The RA272 replica comes in two distinct scales: a rare 1:8 version limited to only 30 units, priced at $28,995 USD, and a 1:18 version limited to 300 units at $1,735 USD. Both are presented in custom display cases and come with certificates of authenticity alongside commemorative booklets signed by Koji Watanabe, President of Honda Racing Corporation.
These models will debut for sale during The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering, and the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion on August 15-16, 2023, providing enthusiasts a unique opportunity to own a significant piece of Honda’s racing legacy.
Amalgam Collection’s Precision Craftsmanship Honors Honda’s Legacy
Founded in 1985, Amalgam Collection is renowned for producing highly accurate, luxury-scale automobile models. To ensure faithful reproduction of the RA272, their team conducted extensive research at the Honda Collection Hall in Motegi, Japan, using advanced digital scanning techniques on the original chassis #103. This approach allowed them to recreate the car’s intricate details with exact precision.
Development of the model took over 4,500 hours, with each individual model requiring approximately 450 hours to assemble. The final product contains more than 1,600 parts, including castings, photo-etchings, and CNC-machined metal components, all painted using authentic car paints based on Honda’s archival color references.
Design Process Integrates Historical Accuracy and Modern Techniques
The making of the RA272 scale model involved creating silicon rubber molds from the precise digital patterns and hundreds of historic photographs from the 1965 racing season, specifically referencing the Mexico Grand Prix. These molds produce the prototype resin parts that form the complex assembly.
Each mold can yield 20 to 30 components before needing replacement, ensuring the highest quality and detail retention for every model produced. Genuine automotive paints were applied meticulously to replicate the original race car’s livery.
Voices from Honda Racing Corporation Highlight the Model’s Significance
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
Legacy and Future Impact of the RA272 Scale Model Release
The release of the Honda RA272 limited edition model represents a thoughtful celebration of Honda’s first Formula One victory and its longstanding motorsport heritage. By replicating the original car with such painstaking accuracy, HRC and Amalgam Collection are fostering a deeper connection between fans and Honda’s racing history.
Availability at prestigious events during Monterey Car Week allows collectors and enthusiasts to engage closely with this significant milestone. This launch is expected to enhance interest in Honda’s memorabilia portfolio and inspire appreciation for the brand’s pioneering achievements in Formula One racing.
