Honda has announced a collaboration with renowned scale model maker Amalgam to produce a limited run of meticulously hand-built replicas of the RA272 Formula 1 car, commemorating the 60th anniversary of its first Grand Prix victory.
The collection will feature just 30 models at 1:8 scale, each priced at USD 28,995 (approximately RM135,000), alongside 300 units at 1:18 scale costing USD 1,735 (around RM8,000). Built as collector’s items rather than playthings, these precision-crafted pieces are aimed squarely at enthusiasts and serious collectors.
The Japanese manufacturer is marking the landmark of its 1965 Mexico Grand Prix triumph, a race that saw Richie Ginther steer the RA272 to Honda’s first-ever Formula 1 win, and the first for any Japanese car, engine, or team. Remarkably, this achievement came just two years after the company entered the automotive market.
Each model consists of over 1,600 precision-engineered components and will be supplied with a signed certificate of authenticity and a commemorative booklet from Honda Racing Corporation President Koji Watanabe. Amalgam, known for its highly detailed scale replicas of iconic cars, many carrying five-figure price tags, is regarded as a natural partner for the project.
The development of the 1:8 scale version alone required approximately 4,500 hours to create the tooling, followed by a further 450 hours for casting, painting, fine-tuning, and assembly of each unit. Patterns for the miniature were derived from exceptionally accurate digital scans taken at the Honda Collection Hall, complemented by hundreds of period photographs of the RA272 from the 1965 season, with particular focus on its Mexico Grand Prix appearance.
The real RA272 was a standout machine of its era, featuring a 1.5-litre V12 engine producing 230hp and capable of revving to 12,000 rpm. In Honda’s second season in Formula 1, it not only demonstrated technical prowess but also signalled the company’s emergence as a serious contender in global motorsport.
