1/12th Tamiya Ferrari 312B Big Scale Kit #7, Collectors Guide

This is another guide in a series created to assist Collectors, and Builders, of 1/12th "Big Scale" model car kits. As a side hobby of my automotive interests at the Woodward Avenue Garage, I've amassed a substantial collection of Big Scale Car and Motorcycle kits. Many are of the earliest issues, and I've learned much about these model kits. None of the information provided in this guide is available in any other forum (that I am aware of) and so it was created as a way to assist in identifying the earliest examples of these kits. Emphasis is always on Kit History, Identification, Features, ect. Less information is given to the actual build due to the rarity of the kits. Any build information sent to me will gladly be added to the guide. I hope that you find this guide informative. Feel free to email with questions, comments, or corrections.

** The Original c.1971 1/12th Tamiya Ferrari 312B "Big Scale" Kit #7 **

IDENTIFICATION; There are several key things to look for when identifying an original Ferrari 312B kit from 1971. The first quick identifying point is to look for a 2 inch by 3 inch Black Foil "Model Racing Classics" (MRC - Model Rectifier Corporation) decal on the front of the box (see photo above). Only the earliest Imported issues carried this "Black Tag" on the box. There are exceptions to this rule, but if you see the tag, it's a first issue. The second quick identifier of an original kit is to look at the "Features Of The Model" listed on the side of the box. All the text will be in English. Later issue kits had Japanese/English text on the box.  The third quick identifier of an original issue kit, and the most often mis-identified, is the very first "Features Of The Model" listed on the side panel of the box. It will be; "Beautiful paint is laid on the entire surface of the body". To the best of my knowledge, this was the first, and one of only two "Big Scale" kits from Tamiya that was manufactured with a coat of paint on the Red Plastic Body Parts. The other kit was the original 1973 Big Scale kit #13, Lotus 72D. Many people assume someone has painted the kit, but never built it. That is not true with an original kit! Tamiya (poorly) spray painted a coat of "Clear" on all the Red parts of the body parts tree. This was done to give the model an extra level of "Ferrari Red" shine over the bare red molded parts. I built a second issue kit in the mid 1970s and it did not have the "Painted" body. If anyone has seen a variation of the Tamiya Factory Paint, let me know. The box will have kit number BS1207 - 12 - 98. The last 4 digits of - 12 - 98 are not part of the part number, but rather the price in Yen circa 1971. The Tamiya address on the side of the box will be 50-1, Oshika, Shizuoka-City, Japan. Tamiya has changed addresses 4 times, and this was their address from 1969 to 1974. The well illustrated instructions are written in English. The instructions are not date coded, but do have the 50-01, Oshika address. There will also be a Tamiya catalog on the last page of the instructions. As an added note, the reference kit used in this guide contained a separate fold out one page color catalog. The unique thing about this catalog is that all the kits show a list price in Dollars! All of the 1/12 "Big Scale" cars were priced at $11.98 except for the Porsche Carrera 10 ($14.98) and the Lola MKIII B (17.98) !!! I know these kits were expensive to a kid back in the day (spending his money from mowing lawns), but when you think about prices today,,,, wow! Photos of the parts below;

 The Ferrari 312B kit in this guide is not included in any of the catalogs in the kit. The decal sheet is printed on White paper, will be stapled inside a parts bag with one of the Chrome parts trees. On the rear of the decal sheet will be a date code. The date code for the reference kit in this guide is '71 7 (July 1971). Later re-issues will have decals printed on Blue paper with no date code. The parts blister in a first issue kit is unique. In the center of the blister card are compartments for Hardware, Glue, Tools, and Instrument Cluster Decals. On later kits, the Tires are in blisters down one side of the card, and hardware down the other side (not centered between the Tires). Keep in mind that only the first release had the painted body. If a later kit has painted parts, they were painted by someone other than Tamiya. The Ferrari 312B kit #7 was the first non-motorized 1/12th scale F-1 car that Tamiya built. Every F-1 kit before this one was motorized, and starting with this kit, they have all been "static" non-motorized. Only later R/C kits were motorized. Beware of melted or deteriorated tires in these early Tamiya kits. This is especially true this Ferrari kit. Tires are long out of production, and are unique to the Ferrari (very wide Treaded Firestone's). Replacements can only be found in donor kits ($$$$). Decals do not age well and replacements can be found in the aftermarket. Nice, unbuilt, and original issue kits are very rare. A later re-issue kit will build up identically to an original. Prices for later kits are well above $100.00, and rising. Original kits will always sell at a premium.

** 1/12th Tamiya Ferrari 312B Kit History **

The Tamiya Ferrari 312B kit turned the page on all previous Tamiya 1/12th Big Scale F-1 kits. It was the first non-motorized "static display only" car in their line of kits. All Tamiya Big Scale kits after #6 were/are Static. As time has passed, they have all become "Static" in the last round of re-issues. For many builders, the motorized features were basically useless, but for the diehard collector, motorized kits had an added dimension that has been lost to the "Bean Counters" in the modern Corporate modeling world. It's a Nostalgia thing! Big Scale kit #7 was not motorized, but Tamiya tried something new by painting the body with a coat of Clear paint. Just like real cars in the early 70's, Tamiya dropped the "Go", and went for the "Show". As far as my personal observations go, the "Show" paint only lasted for the first issue of this kit only. It makes sense because Tamiya can build a model kit like no one elses business, but if you saw the quality of the paint job in the reference kit, they must have had a blind monkey painting kits in the factory. There is even a greasy fingerprint UNDER the paint! They also painted the body on the original kit #13, the Lotus 72D. All quality issues aside, it's still a great kit. The actual Ferrari 312B modeled by Tamiya for this kit was from the 1970 F-1 season. Ferrari had redesigned it's underpowered V-12 engine, and came up with an opposed "boxer" 12 cylinder fuel injected engine. This new design was less complex than the engine it replaced, and allowed for a lower center of gravity. The greatest improvements were made in reliability and power, but these improvements did not materialize until mid-season. By seasons end, The Ferrari Boxer engine had more power than any other car in Formula One. From a design standpoint, the Ferrari was outclassed by the entire 1970 F-1 field. It used a semi-monoque chassis with an outdated suspension. Ferrari did however have a strong 3 car team, with drivers Jacky Ickx, Mario Andretti, and Clay Regazzoni. Talent made up for technology, and Ferrari won 5 races in '70 with 3 different drivers. This Tamiya kit came with a scale Driver Figure, but it only models the figure from the knees up (no lower legs or feet). There are decals in the kit for all 3 Ferrari Drivers. The kit builds to a very accurate kit, with only a few very small scale issues. For a kit designed in 1971, it has aged very well. There are improved, or replacement decals available from F-1 Specialties. I'm not aware of any trans kits for this kit, but Protar did model the 312B2 car from the 1971 season. All things considered, a great kit for the collection. Hate to build an "oldie", but they do make a great display when finished..... 

** Kit Features **

** Super Detailed Flat 12 "Boxer" Engine

** Movable Front and Rear Suspension

** Semi Pneumatic Rubber Like Firestone Tyres with Realistic Tread Patterns

** Detachable Nose Cowl

** Realistic Driver's Figure

** Steerable Front Wheels

** Beautiful Paint Is Laid On The Entire Body

** Pro's And Con's **

Pros. This was the first non-motorized "Big Scale" kit made by Tamiya. The electrics were gone, but there were no compromises made to scale. The kit contains 100's of parts, molded in Red, Gray, Black, Chrome, White, and Clear. The kit came with real tools, and yes, the little tube of glue. Instructions were in English, were well illustrated, and did a good job of guiding a person through assembly. The kit also included an engine stand for display of the Flat 12 Boxer Engine if desired. As with many of these Tamiya kits, Wheels and Tyres are removable in a scale manner. All things considered, a must have kit for the Vintage Tamiya collection.

Cons. Being the first non-motorized "Big Scale' kit from Tamiya, the Ferrari 312B marked the end of the great motorized era. Tamiya attempted to offset the change with a factory "Paint Job" (clear coat). It didn't do too well. Also, with the Red Body of the Car tends to bleed through the White Roundels for the Number Decals. Once the decals are placed on the body, the White of the decals gets noticeably darker. There are fix decals available from F-1 Specialties. Vintage Decals also have problems with age, and can be found in the aftermarket. As usual with Tamiya kits, beware of Tire Melt. Replacement Tires are only available from a donor car or kit, and they will only be from a Ferrari 312B kit. No other kit used these tires. The kit does have a removable nose cowl, but it is held on by 2 non scale philips head screws that are highly visible on the upper body. Locating unbuilt and minty Vintage Tamiya kits is always tough, and this Ferrari kit tends to be even more so. Didn't everyone build one? With that said, find an original for the collection, and build a re-issue.....

I hope this Tamiya Big Scale Series #7 Ferrari 312B kit guide has been informative. If you've found it helpful, take a moment to vote below. Keep a watch for more guides in the very near future, As always, input via email is always welcome.