World Classics Ferrari P4

Submitted by Phil Insull

The Ferrari 330 P4 was a development of the 1966 P3 with an enlarged engine capacity of 3989c.c. With three valve cylinder heads as opposed to two valves it was capable of pumping out 450 b.h.p. The P4 also featured a wider front and rear track to improve handling, and following an early season dispute with Firestone ran with Dunlop tyres for most of the 1967 World Sport car championships.
The revised machine scored a highly impressive 1-2-3 at its first race the Daytona 24 hours with Amon/Bandini leading home the sister cars of Parkes/Scarfiotti, and Rodriguez/Guichet crossing the line in three abreast formation in response to the Fords at the previous years running of Le Mans. Missing the Sebring 12 hours the works Ferraris won again at the Monza 1000 KM race with the same crews finishing 1-2 as they had done in Daytona. The stage was set for the smaller capacity but more nimble Ferraris to challenge the new 7 litre Fords at Le Mans, but as the Americans say there’s no substitute for Cubic Inches and the Gurney/Foyt Ford led home the Scarfiotti/Parkes and Mairesse/Beurleys P4’s in second and third places. Following this disappointment Enzo withdrew from sports car racing in 1968 to concentrate on Formula One not returning to the arena until 1970 but by now the ageing P4 had been replaced by the 512.

World classics has chosen the P4 as its second release offering the option by use of transfers of the second or third placed cars at Daytona. These were both coupe versions with a full roof, while the winning car had an open top. As with the previous release from this new company the Ferrari comes in kit form (I assume they’ll offer a ready to run version). The main body shell is in resin, with lexan windows, and light covers, small front and rear light pieces (The rear’s are pre-coloured red) a driver figure in authentic 60’s style helmet, and small plastic tube to make the four rear exhaust from. Running gear was provided by Sean and comprises an MRRC Ferrari 250 Chassis, MRRC front & rear axles, Fly Ferrari 512 wheels and tyres, and MRRC guide and a Mabuchi motor. You can fit an MRRC magnet as well but I always think this type of classic should be allowed to drift and slide out of corners, and so cut some small pieces of lead to fit in the magnet positions of the chassis.

As normal before priming and painting a dry fit is done to ensure the wheel base and track are o.k. and that the wheels don’t foul the wheel arches. The back axle is about 3mm too long and had to be cut to ensure the tyres don’t protrude beyond the wheel arch flares, the front is if anything just a tad too short but will suffice. Trim the window glass and the interior piece to size and slip them inside the shell, then position the chassis in place and hold it with tape to enable you to drill the mounting holes on the body shell. (I use Fly body screws). The body shell did not require any filling, and only a light rubbing down with some fine wet ‘n’ dry paper before spraying. I used plasticote grey primer, followed by two coats of plasticote insignia red spray. (I normally do three coats and have paid the price by scraping the paint off the rear spoiler against the track barriers – important tip don’t cut corners when painting).

Detail the light surrounds, interior, intakes, grilles, and driver before reassembling the body onto the chassis. Once done fit the headlights, lenses, rear lights, and exhaust stubs using a little clear epoxy and allow to dry. Last choose your colour scheme the 24 car of Scarfiotti/Parkes or the 21 car of Rodriguez/Guichet. And apply the appropriate decals following the picture on the instruction sheet for guidance.(I went for number 24). Finally apply a thin coat of clear lacquer to seal the transfers.

The final result is pretty good bearing in mind this is not to the standard and certainly not the price of the Racer versions of this car, and with a relatively inexpensive set of running gear it turns in a reasonable on track performance, with lovely power slides but enough weight in the shell to keep it firmly on the track without needing a magnet. I know I’ve said this over and over but resin kits will never be considered serious racers car because most collectors put too much effort into building them to risk damage in club competitions. The world classics Ferrari P4 however is reasonable enough to build one for collecting and one to race, and with a slot-it or MRRC red motor and some slick rear tyres could be turned into a startlingly good performer.
Any negatives well yes to be honest the roof line should be a little more bulbous and the whole of the nose is turns up slightly at the front, which means there is an excessive gap between the front tyres and the wheel arches, particularly as the rears fit the arches so well. (Although in defence of World Classics this one was a pre-production prototype and it may be that they’ve altered the mould slightly on the production version – either way it’s only a minor flaw). That aside this is another good effort with the whole assembly process being pretty straight forward for even the most inexperienced kit builder, the parts to complete should be pretty cheap, and the decals provided are of a very good quality. (Some one listened to my comments about the BMW’s decals). The car performs well on the track with no nasty vices, and certainly looks pretty enough to adorn the shelves of most discerning collectors. Overall I’d say this kit certainly is well worth trying, and full marks to World Classics for offering another sought after model at a reasonable price.