This blogpost:https://erwin400.blogspot.com/2025/12/jody-scheckter-gilles-villeneuve.html
triggered me to further look into the Ferrari transporters used, especially the ones used in the late seventies and early eighties.
It's the era when Ferrari was strong and their drivers became world champion; Niki Lauda and Jody Scheckter. Also Gilles Villeneuve was very good and popular. And these 3 drivers possessed a Ferrari 400. Well, Niki got a Ferrari 365GT4 2+2 from Enzo as a gift. This one was recently auctioned and ended up in the Netherlands. See this blog:
https://erwin400.blogspot.com/2025/12/niki-lauda-ferrari-365gt4-22-on-dutch.html
Jody Scheckter, bought one Ferrari 400 Automatic himself. But he had another one which was gifted to him by Enzo.
In any case, around 1975 Ferrari made use of these newly produced Fiat 170 tucks for their scuderia.
According to Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iveco_T-series These trucks were build by Iveco but still badged as a Fiat and largely based upon its predecessor. The production started in 1975 and ended in 1990 with various modifications in between.
Apparently the first ones used in 1976 by Ferrari had the sponsor brand logo's included on the trailer. See, this example with Clay Regazzoni
I spotted vaious scale models for this truck available. Some with the Ferrari drivers used for promotion: ie Carlos Reutemann
Or Jody Scheckter:
As can be read on the package these are made by Polistil and fairly easy still available on the 2nd hand market.
And apparently from about 1977 they added next to the sponsor brand logo's also their own current range of car models on the trailer. You will see mentioned Dino 208GT4 and Dino 308GT4 below each other and next 308GTB, 308GTS, 400 Automatic and BB512. Meanwhile also Good Year got replaced by Michelin.
Another example I found of this trailer:
And it's exactly this scale model I was after due to the 400 Automatic being on it and in actual use in 1979 which matches my own 400. And it's the year of world champion Jody Scheckter who owned a 400 Automatic.
From 1980 some names of the sponsors changed but also their car models changed. Meaning Tag Heuer now got replaced by Longines and the Dino 308/208GT4 got replaced by Mondial 8. And the 400 got replaced by 400i. Whilst the BB512 became a BB512i the badge logo on the truck remained the same (withouth the additional i). I also noticed they added the brand "Personal" which is odd as I believe it was Nardi they were using. And prior to that it was Momo but this one was never on it. Below two photo examples of the 1980/81 trailer with Mondial 8, 400i and BB512.
As for the scale model I was after, I was only able to find one brand who had made one. It was done by "Old Cars" (
www.oldcars.it) and they offered precisely a 1979 model. Also a 1976 model (without decals of the used brands on the trailer)
Of course it was out of production and sold out at every scale model website I visited. Except for one, which did happen to be located in the USA. Meaning additional expensive shipping costs and import duties to be paid. Since I expect chances are slim I would find it again shortly I simply bought it.
The newer model (1980/81) I was still able to find on various places (by a different brand). A special scuderia edtion was created as well. See their website:
Despite this is the correct model for 1980/81 I noticed one minor mistake, they used the 400 badge and not the 400i
I have to say the 27/28 scuderia Monaco 1981 special edition is cool though
In any case, the package finally arrived today.
Yes, it's licensed by Ferrari. I once read that Ferrari is making more money with these licenses than the acutal car sales. I would not be surprised if that is actual true.
The cabine can be tilted:
The side mirrors were included but not attached on this photo. It's only till I took this photo and noticed it's a RHD truck. Not sure if it was a mistake. When I checked the period photo examples it turns out they are RHD indeed, not sure why thats done? Perhaps historical reasons? Also it has license plate id 371795 MO which is indeed identical as used back then - see supporting photo above.
And as I still don't have a nice 1:43 scale model of a 400 Automatic series, I used this 412 which I had. I also have a blue 365GT4 2+2 1:43 scale model but that's still firmly packaged. So for now I made this photo. Not the greatest photo but you get the picture ...
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