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Mercedes set out to dominate Grand Prix racing in the mid-fifties. They succeeded admirably with the 1954 W 196 R. Name a Grand Prix in 1954 and 1955 and this car was in the winners' circle.
At first glance, FM's 1:24 scale tribute to this standard-setting race car looks like too much money spent for too little-that is, until you look at its many features. First, there's the Tartan plaid cloth upholstered seat. Second, the nicely detailed cockpit gauges, controls, and miscellaneous hardware. Third, there's a fine-mesh screen for the radiator and air intake grilles. Open the hood and there's a world of chromed detail on the offset, straight-eight racing engine. A look at the undercarriage is disappointing at first glance, until you realize it is a perfect recreation of the enclosed belly pan. Two chromed, hollow-tipped exhaust pipes sticking out the right side, set off the features. The only weak spot is the molded-plastic wire wheels. Photo-etched wheels (a good after-market add-on) would have added so much to the realism. I hope FM continues to produce other racing classics of this caliber.
All this model needs is a 1:24 scale figure of Juan Fangio in the cockpit and you could almost expect it to streak off on another 180+ mph race to the winner's circle! (For a beautiful 1:18 replica of this same car, check out our listing of the CMC version.) The issue price is $105.
(10/03/1998)
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