Stock# 21092
Collector# 933
CB's Die Cast Review: May 27, 1999
1999 Treasure Hunt #5
Ferrari F512M
The Treasure Hunt F512M rides on two-piece five-spoke Indy wheels, the first Treasure
Hunt to ride on non-basic wheels in three years. So far this year, it is the only Treasure Hunt
with this feature. One of the rumors circulating is that Ferrari wanted the car to be
presented in a certain fashion, and insisted on the upgraded package. As Treasure Hunt
cars following have been released with standard wheels and louder graphics, this rumor becomes
more plausible.
The Ferrari F512M is a car with nice detail. It is pleasing to see it showcased
here, since it did not appear officially under the First Editions banner.
The fifth Treasure Hunt
of 1999 is the forgotten First Editions casting of 1998, so it's fitting to review
it here. The Ferrari F512M originally was scheduled to be part of the
First Editions larger 1998 roster, expanded to 48 cars in recognition of the 30th
anniversary of Hot Wheels. When the decision was made to shave the total to 40 cars,
it was reported that the remaining new castings would be held until 1999. The
F512M inconspicuously debuted on a regular blister card, however, in silver paint
with five-hole wheels. The fact that the blister card was first labeled "Ferrari
Testarossa" added to its non-discovery. Only when the blister card was properly
labeled did most collectors realize a new casting had appeared.
The quality of the Treasure Hunt series in recent years has declined dramatically
from the level established in 1995 and equaled in 1996, to concept cars with gaudy graphics
and basic wheels. What a pleasant surprise to see the quality of this offering equal
to those of the first two years. The metal body is painted in a deep yellow enamel,
and it's on a zinc-plated metal chassis. The subtle details consist of intricately
decorated marker lights and tail lights in silver and red; the headlights tamped in gloss
black simulating smoked glass; a black and yellow Ferrari herald on the nose; and the Ferrari
name tamped in silver on the rear deck. The only concession to the current practice of
tamping TH-labeled graphics on the cars is a small white, red and black "TH" shield on the
rear license plate mount.
The car carries a black plastic interior, and a clear plastic windshield/window piece that
appears to be from the 1987 Malaysian-made Ferrari Testarossa. In fact, the car
is extremely close in appearance to the Testarossa, which might explain how easy it was to
overlook it on the pegs. When comparing the two cars side by side, the slight
differences become apparent. As with the Lamborghini Countach from 1997, the
F512M has finer detail than its predecessor does, although the quality of detail is
closer between the two Ferraris than the two Lamborghinis.
