(PICS) When 1/43 Ferrari models were actually made in Italy........
These were all models manufactured in the pre-China era. I'm sure there were other manufacturers as well, but the affordable ones that I started collecting over three decades ago were from ART Model, BEST Model, and my favorite ones from BANG. They all were diecast with some plastic parts, a bit of photo-etch detail, and usually nicely done paint. They generally used quite nice PE wire wheels, with the best rim detail coming from BANG. I believe these manufacturers may have had some affiliation with eachother because I have a few duplicated models (with different race numbers), including one from LA MINI MINIERA. Following are close-ups of a few of my favorites from the Italian manufacturing era. 1960 Ferrari 250 GTE (BANG) This well finished model came in a new fancier box with an added sleeve. 1963 Ferrari 250 GT Sperimentale (BANG) 1957 Ferrari 250 California Stradale (ART MODEL) 1958 Ferrari 250 TestaRosa, Le Mans (BANG) 1956 Ferrari 500TRC (This was an attempt by ART Models to add engine detail with a lift-off engine hood).