When F1 regulations changed in 1954, Ferrari modified the 500 F2 chassis and increased the size of the four-cylinder engine to 2.5L, which increased the power output from 170 to 250 bhp, while only increasing the cars weight only 100 lbs. However, even with the increased power, it was still not as fast as its major competition the Mercedes W196 and the Maserati 250F. 1954 would be a season of two Championship wins between its two principal drivers, Jose Froilan Gonzalez and Mike Hawthorn.
At the 1954 British GP, Gonzalez made it an Argentinian front row, starting 2nd besides Juan Manuel Fangio (Mercedes); with teammate Hawthorn qualifying 3rd and next to Stirling Moss (Maserarti) in the second row. Gonzalez accelerated into the lead, as Fangio had handling problems with his streamlined W196, dropping back to 4th. Moss and Hawthorn diced for 2nd until Moss retired, which allowed Marimon in another Maserati to take 3rd after passing Fangio. It was a great 1-2 finish for Ferrari in a year where Gonzalez and Hawthorn would finish a distant 2nd & 3rd to Fangio in the F1 Drivers Championship.
A handbuilt replica of the British GP winning car, Historic Replicars made a range of 1/43 scale models in limited numbers, each model has an individual number indicated on the box and written or stamped on the base of the model. Some models were available in kit form and are indicated as kits on the box.
