Built from the 308 GTB and homologated to challenge the Porsche 959 in the the Group B Race series, this car never fired a shot in anger as that series was abandoned before it ever set foot on the track. What the world got was 273 street legal supercars - the first since the 250 GTO and a precursor to the F40, F50 and the Enzo. Unlike its successors, this beauty was equipped with creature comforts like air and a sound system.

Blistering performance from a 2.8 twin turbo V8 (0-125mph in 15 sec), a beautiful body by Pininfarina and a chassis designed for the track guaranteed this car a coveted place in history.

This model, originally released in 1998 received some upgrades to become part of Mattel's Elite series. It's a pretty model with the right lines and perfect paint. Fine photoetched scripts, refined dash and cloth restraints with diecut hardware are just some of the upgrades and added content. There's much to delight in and some disappointments too.

The panel shutlines are excessive and uneven. Quality control was a bit off on my example. The Ferrari script on the rear deck was waving in the breeze and the Scuderia Ferrari badges were unevenly and assymetrically applied. The large rear fender intakes are merely painted and the small rocker intakes are not even painted. Under the hood, the details are mostly molded in with some marginal paint detailing and a crude representation of a restraining belt for the spare.

The interior still sports the rather crude door panels. The classic chrome shift gate and console controls are painted a rather grainy silver. The seat inserts are painted in red accent, but the prominant mold flash spoils the overall look.

The engine compartment has lots of new content but the red heads look plasticy and lack the proper pebbled texture. The wheels are nicely sculpted but have that same grainy silver plastic look. The tires are period but generic and have a nice soft rubber texture with period accurate tread pattern. I love the car, love the look, but at the pricepoint, I have to say this model falls short of expectations.

-Richard Sufficool