Pre-Order the Limited Edition 1:12 Scale 1958 Ferrari 246 F1 Model Car by GP Replicas

GP Replicas has just announced four 1:12 scale replicas of the iconic Ferrari 246 F1 that raced to glory in the 1958 Formula 1 championship with Mike Hawthorn winning the drivers championship. 

Model Features

• High-quality hand-made resin model
• 1:12 scale (approximately 34cm long)
• Limited edition
• Removable engine cover
• Made using fine parts and the latest modelling technology
• With certificate of authenticity
• Mounted on luxury leather base with metal plaque
• Supplied with high-quality display case
• Premium packaging
• Made by GP Replicas

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A Brief History of the Ferrari 246 F1 Car

The Ferrari 246 F1 was Ferrari’s weapon for the 1958 Formula One World Championship — a car that marked the Scuderia’s transition from the front-engined era towards the challenges of rising British teams and rear-engined designs. Designed around a 2.4-litre V6 engine developed by Vittorio Jano, the 246 F1 was notable for its strong torque and distinctive engine note. Though powerful and robust, the car was heavier than its mid-engined rivals from Cooper and Lotus, signalling the beginning of a technological shift in Grand Prix racing. Nevertheless, in the hands of skilled drivers like Mike Hawthorn, Peter Collins, and Wolfgang von Trips, the 246 F1 fought valiantly throughout a dramatic and emotional season.

The 1958 French Grand Prix at Reims was a high-speed slipstreaming battle on one of the fastest circuits of the era. Mike Hawthorn, with his smooth and precise driving style, excelled on the long straights and sweeping corners. Despite fierce competition from Stirling Moss and the Vanwalls, Hawthorn held firm to claim a crucial victory. It was his only win of the season but a key result that contributed significantly to his eventual World Championship triumph — making him Britain’s first Formula One World Champion.

That same weekend, another Ferrari driver, Wolfgang von Trips, put in a commendable performance. Although not yet a consistent front-runner, the German showed flashes of his potential. At Reims, von Trips impressed with his speed and racecraft, finishing fourth and helping secure valuable points for Ferrari in the Constructors’ standings. His drive was marked by determination and a growing confidence that would later define his career in the early 1960s.

At the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, Peter Collins produced one of the finest performances of his career. In front of his home crowd, Collins delivered a sensational drive to take victory in commanding fashion. His win was both a personal triumph and a crucial result for Ferrari, especially in the context of the tight championship battle. Tragically, it would be Collins’s final Grand Prix win. Just weeks later, he was killed in an accident during the German Grand Prix at the Nürburgring — a devastating loss to Ferrari and the racing world.

Also at Silverstone, Mike Hawthorn again demonstrated his consistency and technical finesse, finishing second behind Collins. Though he took fewer wins than Moss, Hawthorn’s season was built on regular points finishes and measured performances. His result in the British Grand Prix was a perfect example of this approach — fast, reliable, and tactically smart. It was this consistency, rather than outright speed alone, that ultimately carried him to the title at the end of the season.

The Ferrari 246 F1, while representing the end of the front-engined Grand Prix era, played a pivotal role in one of the most emotionally charged seasons in F1 history. It delivered Ferrari the Constructors’ Championship and carried Mike Hawthorn to his historic World Championship. Yet 1958 was also tinged with tragedy, marked by the deaths of several drivers, including Peter Collins. The season remains a powerful chapter in Ferrari’s legacy, showcasing both triumph and the ever-present risks of the sport during its most dangerous decade.