07 February 2022
|
Schuco Mercedes-Benz O317 Renntransporter "Porsche"
PRICE: £41.99
REF: 45 202 6100
SCALE: 1/64
My relationship with anything to do with historic motorsport from the 1960s has been well-documented amongst these pages, but when it comes to Porsche, I tend to lose all self control. When the company upped its game considerably in the late-'60s, it commissioned three of these wonderful vehicles to transport its beautiful racing sports cars to and from European circuits.
Using a Mercedes-Benz O317 high-floor bus chassis – chosen for the structural integrity of its design and self-supporting construction – one at a time, each of the three was passed to Robert Schenk, whose bodywork company built them up. They were a huge success and were seen around many of the racing circuits of Europe for several decades, passing through various owners' hands in a variety of liveries. But this is how they all looked when built. Two of the three survive and they are truly an incredible vehicle to behold.
Schuco has already modelled these vehicles in 1/43 and 1/18 scales (it's massive!), but now we have it in 1/64, which pleases me greatly, as I have quite a collection at this scale, which is making a real comeback.
This is still a good-sized model and is beautifully miniaturised, with a marvellous paint job and graphic scheme. The big surprise for me was that I didn't realise that the rear doors would open at this scale – display options aplenty now!
I really love this little beauty, and I'm tempted to get another two!