CMC Model Cars Ferrari 250 Testarossa 1958

CMC Model Cars are well known for their incredible hand-built model cars and the fantastic detail levels attained on their models. With over 1,600 separate components, their long-awaited Ferrari 250 Testarossa does not disappoint on any of these counts.

The model's interior has genuine leather-effect seats in black, with white piping, a beautifully-rendered wood dashboard and wonderfully intricate instrument panel. So high is the level of detail in the cabin that it actually looks like the real thing - a perspective that continues outside the car and under the bonnet and rear decklid. The car's lines have been captured perfectly - no easy feat, given the swooping curves of the front wings, exposed exhausts and prominent front grille. On many models of this car, necessity of design leads to extraneous lines where separate body parts are screwed together, but that isn't the case here - the CMC model's flanks are smooth as glass all over.

One of the things about CMC's models that really set them apart is the huge variety of different textures. The aluminium petrol tank contrasts to the stainless steel (fully working) filler cap, and the real rubber spare tyre. The wire wheels alone are works of spoked art, with each individual spoke faithfully and individually replicated. Under the bonnet, the V12 engine is a similar masterpiece of detail - no two surfaces that shouldn't look the same do. In fact, when you turn the car over and find the maker's name and model details inscribed on the base, you wonder if the real car has them there as well.

It seems almost irrelevant to nit-pick on such a stunning model, but the only point of detraction I could find were the fully-operable bonnet-securing straps. These look great, but are fiddly to undo and even more fiddly to do up again and while trying to do this, I was very afraid of damaging them - certainly, it's something that needs to be attempted with a pair of fine tweezers, a steady hand and plenty of light.