A splendid 1950's scale model of Alberto Ascari's world championship winning Ferrari F500 F2.
During the 1952 season Ascari and his Ferrari F500 F2 were in a class of their own; he dominated the world championship, winning each of the six Grands Prix he entered that year. Over 1952 and 1953 he took nine straight Grand Prix victories and it was not until the middle of the ’53 season that he lost a race. He still, however, went on to win his second championship later that year.
In order to celebrate Ferrari and Ascari’s achievements, Ferrari teamed up with the Italian produce company Toschi. They commissioned the model makers Marchesini (M.L.B. -Marchesini Luigi Bologna), to build a 1:7 scale model of the F500. The body of the car consists of two die-cast metal alloy shells (top and bottom sections produced by Fonderpress), arranged so that the inside of the car could originally house a bottle of Toschi Liqueur. The model was also originally supplied with a boxed rubber band powered engine with assembly instructions showing how it could later be mounted in the car to provide power.
These generous promotional gifts were given to racing drivers, celebrities of the day and favoured Ferrari customers.
Marked Internally: Fonderpress
Marked externally: Toschi Vignola Brevettato M.L.B Made in Italy
Dimensions: 55 cm/21½ inches (length) x 24 cm/9½ inches (width) x 17 cm/6¾ inches (height).
