The Ferrari 250 GTO occupies a singular position in GT racing history, and Kyosho's 1:18 die-cast rendering of the Rodríguez brothers' winning car from the 1000 km de Paris brings one of the most charged moments of the 1962 season into tangible form. This is not a generic GTO; it represents a documented race win, a specific livery, and a story that ended in tragedy within the same calendar year.
The Ferrari 250 GTO: Engineering for Homologation
Introduced in 1962, the Ferrari 250 GTO was built to satisfy FIA GT homologation requirements — its name, Gran Turismo Omologato, states that plainly. Bodywork was shaped by Sergio Scaglietti to a design developed by Giotto Bizzarrini, combining lightweight steel and aluminium construction with aerodynamic intent uncommon in GT cars of the period. Beneath the long bonnet sits the Colombo-derived 168 Comp/62 V12, displacing 2953 cc and fed by six twin-choke Weber 38 DCN carburettors. 36 cars were built between 1962 and 1964.
No. 1 at Montlhéry: The Rodríguez Brothers in 1962
Pedro Rodríguez, born in Mexico City in 1940, and his younger brother Ricardo, born in 1942, were among the most naturally gifted drivers Ferrari fielded in the early 1960s. At the 1000 km de Paris, run at the Autodrome de Montlhéry, the pair took outright victory in the Rosso Corsa GTO bearing race number 1. Ricardo was 20 years old at the time. On 1 November 1962 — weeks after Montlhéry — he died during practice for the Mexican Grand Prix, making this Paris win one of his final major victories and lending the livery a weight that goes well beyond the results sheet.
Kyosho's 1:18 Scale Model: Die-Cast with Race Accuracy
Kyosho reproduces the winning car in die-cast metal at 1:18, replicating the Rosso Corsa livery and race number 1 as carried at Montlhéry. Kyosho's 1:18 Ferrari GTO series is established among collectors for its dimensional fidelity and surface quality. At this scale every proportion of Scaglietti's bodywork is represented in die-cast form. The model captures a specific, historically documented moment rather than a generic road-going colour variant.
Frequently asked questions
Who were Pedro and Ricardo Rodríguez?
Brothers from Mexico City, born in 1940 and 1942 respectively. Both drove for Ferrari and other leading teams in the early 1960s. Ricardo died on 1 November 1962 during practice for the Mexican Grand Prix.
What race does this model represent?
The 1000 km de Paris 1962, held at the Autodrome de Montlhéry, France. Pedro and Ricardo Rodríguez took overall victory driving the Ferrari 250 GTO bearing race number 1.
What material is the Kyosho model made from?
Die-cast metal. Kyosho produced this replica at 1:18 scale with a Rosso Corsa finish and race number 1 livery matching the Montlhéry winning car.
How many Ferrari 250 GTOs were built?
36 cars were built between 1962 and 1964. The GTO was homologated by the FIA for GT competition in 1962.
