El-gi Elettronica Giocattoli 110 Scale Ferrari P4 (wired) Remote Control Model

  

EL-GI ELETTRONICA GIOCATTOLI 1:10 SCALE FERRARI P4 (WIRED) REMOTE CONTROL MODEL. Italian company El-Gi are credited with the first commercial radio-frequency remote control model car. This is the second of their models.

Technically still remote controlled (TELECOMANDATA - as it says on boxed examples) - albeit a wired remote, connected to the model. Very well detailed 1967 Ferrari 330 P4 with racing number 23, modelled on one of the cars that finished 1-2-3 at Daytona. Large 1:10 scale (41cm long, 18cm wide, 11cm high). The red plastic body and chassis are all intact with no obvious cracks or chips. The detail of the moulding is excellent.

All the vents and meshes are intact. Bodywork rivets are moulded, as are fuel filler caps and hinges details, front and rear lights are glazed, the blue-tinted glazing is all intact and there is a single screen wiper modelled in black along with two inside seats, a detailed dashboard and steering wheel. There's even a detailed oil/water cooler in the front vent.

There's a yellow, black, red, white and green Ferrari badge at the front and four black on white, circular racing numbers (23). It rides on silver-grey 5-spoke wheels with detailed wheel rim balance weights and black plastic, treaded Firestone "Super Sports GP" tyres (5.25/10.00-15 front, 6.60/12.30-15 rear). The body is secured to the chassis with 4 screws (1 is missing). The red plastic remote control has a period sports steering wheel in the centre that controls the motor that steers the front wheels.

To the right, there is a "LAMP" switch that turns the front headlamps on and off. To the left there is a black and white 3-position rocker switch (original) with AV (Avanti - forward) and R (Retromarcia - reverse). Stop (not labelled) is the position between A and R. There is approximately 1.5m of red cable between the remote control and the model.

Dating from around the time of the real car, this is in incredibly good condition for a 50-year-old model. Having thoroughly looked over the model, it looks like it may have been in the process of being recommissioned. The battery connector springs are near mint - but wouldn't quite allow the battery cover to close (if there was one). Both light bulbs light up via the switch on the remote and the electric motor-powered steering works - also via the remote. Despite some treatment with WD-40 and some gentle revolutions of the motor, it won't work via the remote.

I haven't tested whether it's a wire, the switch or the motor. Maybe that's the reason the back of the remote is also missing. The model is powered by 6x 1.5v C/LR14/AM2 cells. Please add each item to your?? basket or request an invoice before paying.