Italeri 4702 – Fiat 806 Grand Prix – 1:12 Scale Model Kit

One Race Was Enough

Designed for the new 1.5-liter Grand Prix regulations, the 806 made its only competitive appearance at Monza on September 4, 1927. Pietro Bordino drove the bright-red No. 15 to victory in the Milan Grand Prix, finishing more than a minute ahead of the opposition and recording the fastest lap of the meeting.

Fiat then withdrew from Grand Prix racing and ordered the car destroyed.

The Predecessor of the Modern Grand Prix Car

The Fiat 806 looked startlingly different from the tall, upright racing machines of its era. Its body sat low between the chassis rails, while the engine and transmission were positioned to reduce the center of gravity and frontal area.

The driver sat low and slightly offset, enclosed in a narrow single-seat cockpit. Even the steering wheel was flattened at the top and bottom to make more room.

This compact arrangement anticipated the basic architecture of later Grand Prix and Formula One cars. Only one chassis was constructed, making the 806 one of the rarest and most historically significant racing cars ever produced.

Twelve Cylinders From Just 1.5 Liters

Beneath the long bonnet was Fiat’s remarkable Type 406 engine: a supercharged 1,484cc twelve-cylinder powerplant arranged in a “U” configuration.

It was effectively formed from two parallel six-cylinder banks, each with its own crankshaft, geared together at the rear. The result produced approximately 180 horsepower—an extraordinary figure from such a small displacement in 1927.

Fiat claimed a maximum speed exceeding 240 km/h, or roughly 149 mph. This was achieved in a car equipped with narrow tires, mechanical drum brakes and considerably less concern for personal survival than would be considered customary today.

A Complete Large-Scale Mechanical Model

Italeri’s impressive 1:12 scale kit recreates the Fiat 806 as a complete mechanical model rather than merely a red body with wheels attached.

Construction begins with the twin-rail chassis and continues through the suspension, drivetrain, steering system and finely represented Type 406 engine. Separate cylinder banks, manifolds, piping, transmission components and mechanical fittings create a convincing display when the bonnet panels are left open.

Much of the model is assembled using the supplied miniature screws, nuts and bolts. This gives the construction process a suitably mechanical character and provides strong connections for the large assemblies.

The finished model measures approximately 30 cm—nearly 12 inches—in length.

Open the Bonnet

The multipart bonnet can be displayed open, exposing the highly detailed twelve-cylinder engine and its surrounding pipework.

Copper wire, PVC tubing, springs and separate fittings add texture and depth to the engine compartment. These multimedia components allow careful builders to reproduce fuel lines, control linkages and other details more convincingly than molded plastic alone.

The bonnet may also be installed closed, although concealing a 1:12 scale supercharged U-12 after assembling it feels unnecessarily secretive.

Chassis, Suspension and Working Steering

The kit includes a detailed chassis with separate axles, leaf springs, friction dampers, steering linkage and mechanically operated brake components.

The steering is designed to remain functional, allowing the front wheels to be positioned for display. The large-scale suspension and chassis components are clearly visible beneath the narrow body, making careful painting, metallic finishes and subtle weathering particularly rewarding.

Rubber tires feature period tread and sidewall detail, while the delicate spoked wheels capture the purposeful appearance of 1920s Grand Prix machinery.

A Cockpit With No Spare Space

The single-seat cockpit includes the driver’s seat, pedals, gear selector, instrument panel, steering column and distinctive flattened steering wheel.

Leather material is supplied for additional interior detailing, along with fabric for wrapping the steering-wheel rim. A photo-etched floor insert represents the wooden cockpit boards—because apparently sitting beside the driveshaft and fuel system was not enough excitement without polished timber underfoot.

The small windscreen is reproduced using the supplied clear sheet, and masking stickers assist with accurately finishing selected components.

Classic Italian Racing Red

The decal sheet provides the markings for Pietro Bordino’s No. 15 Fiat as it appeared at the 1927 Milan Grand Prix.

The uncomplicated red bodywork places particular emphasis on surface preparation and finish. The exposed fasteners, louvers, external suspension and closely fitted bonnet panels give the completed model plenty of visual interest without requiring an advertising department’s worth of sponsor decals.

A polished race-day finish will emphasize the 806’s elegant lines, while restrained oil staining and mechanical wear can suggest the hurried development of a car that arrived, won and disappeared.

Kit Highlights

Large 1:12 scale multimedia model kit

Finished length approximately 30 cm / 11.8 in.

Detailed supercharged Type 406 twelve-cylinder engine

Opening multipart bonnet

Working steering

Complete chassis and suspension detail

Separate transmission, exhaust and mechanical components

Period spoked wheels with detailed rubber tires

Photo-etched detail parts

Decals for Pietro Bordino’s No. 15 car

Masking stickers and clear sheet

Miniature screws, nuts and bolts

Leather, fabric, copper wire, PVC tubing and metal springs

Illustrated 32-step assembly instructions

Italeri Skill Level 5

For the Experienced Modeler

Assembly and painting are required. Paint, plastic cement, cyanoacrylate adhesive and modeling tools are not included.