Model car made of 4,000 individual parts sells for over £20,000
A STUNNINGLY precise scale model car made of 4,000 individual parts that took an engineer nearly 200 full days to hand-build has sold for over £20,000.
The sophisticated 1:13 scale model is an exact reproduction of Maserati's 250F 1960s Formula One racing car that includes an exhaust system, tyre tread detailing and functioning suspension.
Each component was based on carefully taken measurements and drawings of a full size 250F then constructed from scratch.
The feat of engineering is the creation of master craftsman Anthony Dennis from West Sussex who built every single nut and bolt over the course of 4,500 hours.
The sophistication of this build is reflected in the price it sold for
An aeronautical engineer by trade, Mr Dennis used precision tools more commonly found in a dental lab or jeweller's workshop to mould steel, aluminium, wire, rubber and leather.
The pristine 'Rosso Corsa' colour bodywork is formed from sheet copper that's been soldered, riveted and electroplated to simulate the real-life version's metallic finish.
Other meticulously made components of the model include wire-spoked wheels, articulating gear and throttle linkages, pedals and an instrument panel.
The model's chassis is made up of 200 individual parts, the exact same amount as a full size 250F.
Mr Dennis spends so long on his models that he's only ever built eight in 20 years.
This one, measuring 12ins long, was commissioned in the 1990s by someone who owned a full size version.
It is based on real life chassis number 2524, which raced at the 1956 French, German, Italian and Moroccan Grand Prix.
The model was consigned for sale by a collector through London-based auctioneer Bonhams, which sold it to another collector for £21,250.
An auction house spokesman said: “This is a an excellent example of a scratch-built scale model made up of an incredible 4,000 individual parts.
“There are several deciding factors in desirability of scale models: rarity, scale, detail, materials, construction time, the car modelled, and the model maker. This example ticks every box.
“Anthony Dennis built models to commission and, due to the precision engineering and skill required, it took him more than 4,500 man hours to construct and assemble.
“Such models of this accuracy and precision are few and far between and very rarely come to the public market. They're highly desirable to collectors.
“The sophistication of this build is reflected in the price it sold for.”
Mr Dennis' other models include further Maseratis, an Alfa Romeo and a Ferrari Dino, which are held in important collections around the world.