Car Racing was always part of Gustavo Ambrosio’s world.And since 02/02/02 he started rebuilding that world in 1/43 Scale. He has made 1,215 models so far and we convinced him to share some on hobbyDB. Here is the first installment of 10 of them.
This is web-translated so please bear with us if there are errors.
The Turismo de Carretera (TC) Grand Prix races in Argentina used to start at night and covered a minimum distance of 7,000 kilometers. I grew up in that world. My father would take me to watch those starts, hoisting me onto his shoulders so I could see. The only thing I actually managed to observe were the cars’ headlights—ah, but the *noise*! That tremor produced by their sound has remained in my ears and in my mind to this very day.
Since I was a little boy, I made my own cars and played “little races” in the street with my friends. I never stopped making them—sometimes more, sometimes less, but always. That continued until the instability plaguing this country in the year 2000 led me—convinced by a great friend, Marcelo—to begin pursuing this professionally.
All models are entirely handcrafted—and, to this day, created without the aid of 3D technology.
My very first car model was the Berta SP Cosworth, designed by Oreste Berta for the 1970 1000 km of Buenos Aires race.
This is a 1968 TC Champion. Driven by Carlos Pairetti and accompanied by Héctor Ríos. It is a good candidate for competition and one of the most popular cars in the history of Argentinian sports cars. Designed by the Ing. Pedro Campo.
Juan Manuel Fangio race this models for the 1940 TC Cup as well as the 1941 race. This models corresponds to his triumph in the Gran Premio del Norte of 1940 and was accompanied by P Elizalde.
This is a LIEBRE II – TC – Tornado designed by O Berta and H Pronello and driven by Héctor Luis Gradassi and accompanied by H Piazza. I should add here that, up until 2007, the TC cars carried a passenger… A very folkloric tradition.
In 1970, the Argentine European F2 Team was formed. They competed with the Brabham BT30. For 1971, two BT36s were purchased for Reutemann and C. Ruesch. Carlos Reutemann finished as runner-up that year, behind Ronnie Peterson.
This is the Eagle F-5000 of Francisco Mir’s team, with which Néstor Jesús García Veiga competed in a few races, achieving some good results—though nothing exceptional.
As I understand it, this Ferrari 625 was gifted by Enzo Ferrari to José Froilán González—a driver held in high esteem by Don Enzo. It was fitted with a Chevrolet Corvette engine, and with this machine, he secured the South American Championships in 1959 and 1960, as well as the thrilling Rafaela 500 Miles races held during those years.
The Argentine SP series delighted us from 1969 to 1973. This Berta Tornado is the most successful car in this category, winning the 1971 and 1972 championships piloted by the great Luis Di Palma.
Formula 1 Argentina competed between 1963 and 1979. This model is the Pianetto-Dodge, designed by Engineer Pianetto and driven by Angel Rubén Monguzzi in 1977.
These are the Torino 380Ws that kept the entire country on the edge of its seat during the 84 Hours of Nürburgring in August 1969. After those 84 hours, it was the car that completed the most laps; however, it was penalized for an exhaust pipe replacement, dropping to 4th place. Car No. 3 (4th place) was driven by Copello, Larry, and Franco.
More next week! Which one is your fav so far?
Wow what craftsmanship!! I love racing as well, and growing up around the Indy 500 track I understand what Gustavo is talking about when he says “the noise produced by the cars” is something that is permanently played in my head. I love how José Froilán González fitted a Chevy Corvette engine into that Ferrari 625 later 😂
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