Words and photos courtesy of Wes Shakirov
We finally got the opportunity to get our hands on an example of the forthcoming, and highly anticipated, CMC 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO. It is probably the most celebrated Ferrari, trading hands for the kind of money that could buy you a sizeable island. CMC used a legal loophole to produce this model, which was pleasantly surprising. Most collectors were sad to learn that the CMC-Ferrari partnership was expiring. I certainly enjoyed the discounts on the final remaining stock of the licensed models, but now I’m looking forward to the new “CMC Ferrari” line of models. Initially there was a tiny bit of concern, when these images surfaced, that this model wasn’t based on any actual existing chassis, a la their recent Aston Martin DB4 Zagato, which wasn’t very well received mostly due to the fact that it looked awkward. When we learned that it looked awkward due to CMC borrowing several design features from multiple cars and combining them to build their model, many heads were scratched in an attempt to understand their strange decision. In this case, however, CMC were quick to address the concerns by releasing an image of the chassis on which this model is based, and everything went back to normal.
CMC are releasing 4 colours – Red, Silver, Yellow, and Blue. The Silver and Yellow come with the quilted leather in the interior, while the Red and Blue do not. Worry not, we’ll get to the quilted leather shortly, but for now we’ll start with the initial impressions. As soon as you see the model, you see that there are no differences from their previous efforts. This is doubly true if you own any of their Ferrari models. The 250 GTO will definitely feel like familiar ground. The shape and stance are great, the paint also, and there is, as usual, the smorgasbord of different noble materials used in the construction. I counted at least 11 features that could be opened. Doors, trunk and hood, fuel cap, another opening compartment behind the passenger door, a latch on the nose, three removable vents in front of that, and a removable panel which covers the undertray.
I think it looks great in silver – very lithe and athletic, especially those delectable rear haunches, which are borderline obscene. CMC’s official pictures used lighting that did not compliment the model, making it seem as if the nose angled downwards abruptly. I am happy to report that this is not so, and the nose swoops downwards very smoothly. All the tiny details are executed extremely sharply. I honestly have no complaints. You’re provided a screwdriver, which you can use to open the three vents on the front and the panel that covers the undertray. Having said that, the screwdriver is too big to open the latter, which makes it nearly impossible to re-mount those screws, so I advise to just leave it open, lest you risk breaking something. I think the car looks better with the front vents open and what’s the point in hiding that resplendent undertray anyway? Leave it open so you can flip the model over, look at it, and be reminded how good life is!
Now, about the quilted leather in the interior. You see, the individual diamond shaped segments that form when leather is stitched in that quilted pattern tend to puff out, which gives it that luxurious look. It appears that CMC unfortunately failed to translate that effect into 1:18 scale, and it looks like the leather was simply stitched in a criss-cross pattern, with none of that puffing out that’s supposed to happen. As I mentioned above, the “quilted leather” is only present in the Silver and Yellow cars, so if this kind of thing keeps you up at night, I advise you go for either Red or Blue to remedy the situation.
There are going to be obvious comparisons to the Kyosho High-End version, but I can tell you right now, that’s not even remotely a fair comparison. The CMC blows the Kyosho out of the water, as it should, considering it costs nearly twice as much. Oh yeah, the cost! So, if CMC no longer has to pay license fees to Ferrari, shouldn’t the models cost less? Just thinking out loud, as I’m sure many others are. Anyway, getting back to the Kyosho comparison, I would agree that the Kyosho version has the more pleasing overall shape. As you may know, this car is from a day when cars were hammered into shape from sheet metal over a wooden buck, and all of them are different. Of course, CMC could have found a different car to replicate, but I imagine sourcing any of them must be a difficult task.
Word on the street is, this car has been through a couple of crashes and rebuilds, so it is very likely that its shape is not even coming from the original wooden buck, but that’s just me speculating. Either way, comparing the looks of the CMC and the Kyosho is like trying to choose between Kate Upton and Scarlett Johansson. Sure, I like Kate more, but I wouldn’t exactly be depressed if I ended up with Scarlett. Plus, if you’re like me, which means all about the detail, you won’t even consider the Kyosho as an option as long as the CMC version exists. Indeed, I sold my Kyosho version long ago, in anticipation of Exoto’s effort, which now isn’t even necessary.
Getting back to the meat and potatoes, I think the belts are very well executed. So they’re not too huge like on the Testarossa. Nothing seems jarring or over-scale. I love that the exhausts are the items that poke out the back instead of the side. I absolutely love the sliding windows. The underbody is one of the most impressive I’ve ever seen from CMC, but then again, I seem to say that with every one of their releases. The engine detail is great as always. The spare tire in the trunk is removable, and there’s even a cute little fire extinguisher. Unfortunately we can’t provide any comment on the packaging, as this is a prototype/display model and came without it. My theory is that the model must be screwed in at the front. You can see two holes that look like they would accept screws adjacent to the front tires. There are no such holes at the back, which makes me think that the model is fastened using some other method there. Again, this is just speculation, and you’re welcome to come to your own conclusions.
Having seen the model in person, held it, judged its weight, opened up all the panels and inspected it thoroughly, I can breathe a sigh of relief and say that I’m quite happy with the effort. I had a bad feeling about this model when it was announced, which certainly wasn’t helped by how awkward the model looked in the official photos, but now I can look forward to adding it to my Ferrari collection. There are criticisms with every model, and things are no different here. The quilted leather was a fail, I very much wish that there were Scuderia shields on the flanks, but the chassis #3809, on which this model is based, doesn’t have them, so it is accurate. However, that car also doesn’t come in 4 different colours with 2 different interior combinations, so I’m sure it wouldn’t have hurt to add some iconic trademark shields. In any case, you can always buy a decal and add it yourself. I’ll certainly consider doing that once I get mine. Good luck choosing your colours, and I hope you’re looking forward to this model as much as I am!
Buy the Ferrari 250 GTO at Racing Heroes
Incredible detail! It puts Kyoshos, Minichamps, and AUTOarts to shame.
but it reference to the wrong Chassis . Out look of 3809GT doesn’t look like any other 250GTO.
Time to put up for sale my black Kyosho GTO and pick up a blue CMC!
I’d prefer a dark blue similar to the one featured in the movie Vanilla Sky (no need to mention the neither here nor there version released by Hotwheels Elite).
Great review and much welcomed pictures. Thank you for that. Now, I was curious, the small Ferrari logo on the engine bonnet has the Ferrari name on it or is it spelled differently? :)
The Ferrari script is there but it’s too small to see. I would need a magnifying glass to be able to discern it and unfortunately I don’t have one.
You old fart :)
That “quilted leather” ruins this model. I’ll pass.
Remember, the red and blue come without it
The detail is amazing! price is justifiable, though obviously expensive lol.
the quilted leather is on the center console and behind the seats right. seats are are a jersey/cloth material?
thanks for sharing!
Yes and yes, and my pleasure!
Just received my CMC FERRARI 250 GTO, and I must say it looks good except the poor quality quilted leather. It looks worst than I had imagined. My other complain is that who ever is assembling these pieces have to stop over tightening the knock off. I know driver’s side turns counterclockwise to loosen and passenger side turns clockwise to loosen it’s not my first. But these things are so tight I am afraid of putting to much force and end up bending the wheel spokes. Can you guys check to see how tight your knock off are
Very tight. I usually don’t touch the wheels. If one doesn’t open, I go to one that’s easier. Usually they’re not all tight
All 4 of mine are also too tight to remove – sigh
I have 9 CMC’s and each one has at least 1 spinner that is too tight
Im surprised CMC doesnt supply a special tool like Exoto provides
It’s a little T shaped tool with a little bucket at the end with 3 cut outs in it to fit over the spinners – guess I’ll have to create my own
http://www.exoto.com/s/1/ProductOverview.aspx?Language=en&CategoryId=207
I’ll keep my high end Kyosho with the 3 side vents, spare tire and opening filler cap.
Any comments on the M-080 vs the M-086 ? (Restored vs Race TR 250).
I want one but I’m not sure which.
Love my CMC 300S #1 – Agree with the overly tight Spinsters.
I have just joined you assoc so I am a new boy and not such an anorak as some… If I had one negative it would be that the metallic silver is a bit dull almost grey.
And perhaps the plastic windows are really thin, however I think for the money they are world leaders and nothing else can even come close. The level of detail and quality against almost anything else is amazing.. High end AUTOart and other pretenders don’t even come close at two thirds of the money.. If your going to buy a 250 GTO just font buy the silver, red has to be the colour and the limited edition navy are gorgeous
This was the first scale model that I purchased
I am very impressed with my model.
The only problem was that it took forever to arrive
I paid just over $1,300. for the model.
I have since, purchased other CMC models.
For me, the high quality craftsmanship is worth the extra
Price.
1,300? What currency?
Wow, that’s tripple the price of $420 US I paid at retail when it was released! Just got another one from the 2024 run, if anything, better made! Very pleased! Highly recommend as I will likely purchase more variants too! (FYI- I personally always liked the pure red livery over the tricolor silly stripe on the LeMans model – so I am very happy with the currently offered liveries..)
Here we are in 2021 and these are changing hands for anything from £700 – £1500 for the #19 LeMans Entrant! Who would have guessed so high?
Any seasoned CMC collector would. Low production = supply and demand.
I’m wondering what made them pick the only 250 GTO different from all the other 250 GTOs out there. And, looking at this and the latest 275 GTB/C, that’s neither a full on GTB nor a GTC I wonder if this isn’t just their way of showing a middle finger to Ferrari lawyers?
LOL, now that’s another way of looking at it!
NOTE, that my comment is about the new run of 250GTO (winter 2024).
Just received the #1 winner of 1000km Paris, and it is spectacular. In fact I do own a CMC model of 250GTO from the previous run from eight or nine years ago, so I knew what to expect. And, both models are great. If anything, the new one is of better quality of assembly, faultless while the old one I had to return and replace due to issues with glazing surrounds.
To all CMC naysayers and those who prefer Kyosho’s 250GTO- IMO, CMCis superior in every way, but, unfortunately, the only way to actually experience this is to hold both models in hand next to each other. I do hope someone here can make a proper comparison and put to bed the unjustified rumors of Kyosho’s front end being more correct than CMC’s (it is not, and I saw real cars on multiple ocasions).
CMC metal shell is thicker, sturdier and heavier; its paint is thicker, glossier and somehow more buttery smooth; the wheels are superior in every way, the detailing is more detailed, but most importantly, and this is an important observation for me but perhaps not for everyone- the surround of glazing in windshields which in CMC is done with metal wire and rubber may be less perfect and a bit thicker than the plastic better scaled surround of Kyosho, BUT, the spirit of realism it oozes sits much better with me than Kyosho’s. In other words, its notabout purely visual verisimilitude; it’s about feel in hand, the materials used that are more real, that captures the spirit of the car better than any sealed resin or plastic parts. Those who never handled a CMC or an EXOTO XS level or an old diecast BBR models may not understand what I said as the pleasure of those models goes beyond purely visual into tactile. Those who are fully sattisfied with the purely visual sealed resin models who will never know the reason for bonnet bulges because they cannot open a bonnet and see a sepercharger underneath shaping it, may also not “get” what I said. But for the rest- do yourself a favor and get a 250GTO from this CMC run, as they will sell out, not immediately but they will get scarser in a year, then disappear from retail and then their price will skyrocket and you will not be able to get them- just as it hapenned with the previous run…Cheers!
While you’re mostly right, the nose is different from all the others because the car CMC scanned in 2011 (3809GT) was subject to many repairs and body panel replacements during its years of racing, it was rolled twice and the nose was smashed more than once as well (see photos here: https://pbase.com/ferrari250gto/3809_gt) The car ended up with a nose that was constructed in some UK garage, until it was fully restored in 2016 by Ferrari, so basically, the CMC model has a nose that doesn’t match any existing GTO, post 2016.