Stock #28762
Collector #050

CB's Die Cast Review:  July 29, 2001

2001 First Editions™ #30
Ferrari 156

Just when I was beginning to doubt whether we would see another Hot Wheels model in today's era that is quality through and through, the Ferrari 156 "Sharknose" is immortalized as one of the "Hottest Metal Cars in the World."  The high quality of the design AND manufacture make this model worthy of the original group of cars from a generation ago, when they were instead known as the "Fastest Metal Cars in the World."  When considering the overall design and performance of the model, it is by far the best new release this year, one of the best First Editions models as a whole, and possibly one of the best Hot Wheels vehicles of all time.

According to Grand Prix section of Dennis David's site, the Ferrari 156 was the automaker's first rear-engine Formula-1 vehicle.  Designed by Carlo Chiti, the tubular chassis contained a type-178 water-cooled 120-degree V6 engine, with the cylinder blocks angled in a way that necessitated a wider footprint and allowed a lower center of gravity.  The new Ferrari debuted in 1961 and won five of the first seven races on the tour.  The British teams produced a comparable competitive engine in 1962 to even the playing field.  The Ferrari 156 design was used through the 1964 season.

Mattel, while known for its outrageous and exaggerated Hot Wheels designs, has produced a number of accurately scaled models over the years based on real-life vehicles.  For the last two decades, in order to keep costs down and hold the price of a Hot Wheels vehicle in the vicinity of one dollar, the primary material used in Hot Wheels cars has been plastic.  In recent years, the amount of cars with a die-cast body and chassis averages around 35 percent of the new castings.  In addition, some of these have been modified in following years to contain more plastic, with the once-impressive 1970 Chevelle SS being the most recent example.  At first glance, it's obvious that the Ferrari 156 is extremely accurate to the prototype.  But closer inspection reveals that the majority of the car is die-cast.  The all-metal body is nicely painted in bright red enamel and features excellent detail such as the see-through nose.  The chassis is zinc-plated die-cast and includes the twin exhaust pipes, most of the engine detail and the bottom half of the axle supports.  Another zinc-plated die-cast part contains the detailed interior, the upper half axle supports and the back of the body.  Other than the wheels, there are only two plastic components.  The windshield consists of clear plastic and also includes the four clear vents over the engine.  The rollbar is gray plastic and includes the engine cylinder head and rear strut detail.

The quality of the design and construction of the Ferrari 156 is matched by the markings tamped on the car.  Four-color Ferrari crests are neatly tamped on either side of the upper body behind the front wheels, and a four-color Ferrari rectangular herald is tamped on the nose.  Circular rows of bolts are tamped in silver on the top of the nose and in front of the windshield.  The car number is tamped in white on the nose and the right side, although there probably should be a number on the left side as well.  The ubiquitous flame logo is tamped in silver on the right side behind the rear wheel, the only tampo that could be considered non-prototypical.  The overall look that the excellent decorative scheme provides is that of an actual historical scheme.

The Malaysian-made car rides on standard lace wheels, with small hubs up front and large hubs in back.  With the advent of low-riding Hot Wheels in 1997, it is no surprise that the Ferrari 156 sits extremely close to the ground, as did the prototype.  The model compares extremely well with the last set of quality Formula-1 Hot Wheels models produced in 1969 -- Brabham Repco F1, Indy Eagle, Lotus Turbine and Shelby Turbine.  The Ferrari is the same scale as those four models, although the older racers stand slightly higher.  Performance-wise, the newer model is in the same weight range and can perform every stunt that the older models can, and do it as well or better.  It's fast, and stays on the track due to the low center of gravity.  Even without the strong performance ratings, the Ferrari 156 would be the best First Editions release this year.  It edges out the Surfin' School Bus, which looks great but can't compete on the track.  Mattel will have to go a long way to beat this one.  Design.  Craftsmanship.  Materials.  Decoration.  Performance.  High marks in all areas, and "tens" in most of them.  It is that good, and by far the best Hot Wheels vehicle of the year.