1/17/20 21/100 Ferrari F50

Now it’s time for something you don’t see often in today’s Matchbox line and that is Italian exotics from Ferrari and Lamborghini.  Before Hot Wheels took over the reign of these exotics (and the Matchbox brand) Matchbox did their own replicas and for some of these they were the last use of them.  The first is this Ferrari F50 coupe that was introduced in 1996 in contrast to the Hot Wheels version that was an open top roadster.  The silver paint is joined by 5-spoke wheels and front and rear lighting and badges, a trend that is common across all of the cars in this series.  Despite being a bit thick and with a bit of ground clearance this is a nicely done casting with detailed V-12 under the vented rear engine cover and a rather Spartan interior with seating for two that represents this F40’s successor’s race car for the road feel.  On the track the car performs well despite the higher stance compared to the real car, and yes I found one with the Matchbox 2000 logo on the windshield and later thick 5-spoke wheels.  Hot Wheels eventually made an F50 coupe, though it was smaller and look odder than this Matchbox version.

Specifications:

· Engine: 4.7L DOHC V-12 739 hp.

· Transmission: 6-speed manual

· 0-60 mph: 3.8 sec.

· Real vehicle price: #500,000 est. 1996

Rating:  4.5 out of 5 stars