In a tribute to the legendary Ferrari Formula One driver Gilles Villeneuve, a limited-edition collection of replicas of his iconic Ferrari 312 T4 race car has been unveiled by the Amalgam Collection. Limited to just 12 pieces, these models are exact replicas of the car raced by Villeneuve in the United States East Grand Prix at Watkins Glen International Raceway on the 7th October 1979.
Each replica in this exclusive collection has been meticulously crafted by the Amalgam Collection to capture every detail of Villeneuve’s race car, ensuring the utmost precision and authenticity. Following 450 hours to complete each model, the Amalgam artisans in Bristol used archival imagery of the original race car to meticulously hand-paint the dirt, and grit the car collected during one of the most memorable wet-weather performances in Formula One history. The process known as weathering, faithfully recreates the exact condition of the car as it crossed the finish line at Watkins Glen, with unmatched accuracy.
Limited to only 12 pieces worldwide, this exclusive special edition goes beyond the model itself. Each set is accompanied by four large-format A2 archive-quality prints by renowned Formula One photographer Richard Kelley, capturing Gilles Villeneuve in some of the most powerful and emotional moments of his Ferrari career.
The edition has been personally endorsed by Melanie Villeneuve, Gilles’ daughter, who has curated the photographic selection and signed a certificate of authenticity accompanying each set.
The Richard Kelley photographs, many unseen publicly until now, offer an intimate glimpse into Villeneuve’s Ferrari years, capturing moments of focus, determination and raw emotion that defined one of motorsport’s most beloved drivers.
Richard Kelley says this of one of the most memorable days in his photographic career:
“I will always remember Gilles Villeneuve, alone in his 312 T4, as rain approached and he prepared to win the 1979 United States Grand Prix.
“The weather was deteriorating, and as drivers milled about, chewing their fingernails and speaking softly to their engineers, they all had their eyes on the darkening skies. While they waited until the last instant to buckle in, Gilles already sat calmly in his cockpit, belts pulled to near race-tightness; the huge one-piece Ferrari cowling lying next to him on the tarmac.
“As was common with Formula One cars then, the aluminium “tub” forming the cockpit of his #041 left his feet extending beyond the front wheels and barely extended above his hips. The remainder of his slender body would be ‘protected’ by that fiberglass cowling and one riveted metal panel attached to the front of the forward triangular tube structure that held the steering wheel and gauges.
“It seemed that every Ferrarista in New York State was pushing aggressively to see him, yet there was a ‘bubble’ around Gilles as he sat alone; no small cadre of engineers leaning on the chassis, discussing tactics – no Mauro Forghieri urging him to nail his start.
“There simply was no need.
“Gilles had devastated the entire field during that weekend’s torrential rain-soaked Friday practice; setting times 22 seconds faster than any Goodyear-shod car, and a staggering 12 seconds faster than teammate and new World Champion, Jody Scheckter. With Scheckter now champion, Gilles was free to race for himself; doing lap after lap on the limit for the sheer joy of it.
“He was preparing to do it again.
“As he sat in perfect silence, wearing his “race face” as he delicately put on his gloves, the air began to smell of rain. If he was conscious of the worsening conditions, his face never betrayed his emotions. On that day, it was clear he would drive the only way he knew: pedal flat to the stops. You never had to fear Gilles wasn’t up to the challenge, you feared he might go too fast.
“The rain arrived 20 minutes before the start, and despite low oil pressure that had him nursing his car to the finish, he would win by 48 seconds.”
Gilles Villeneuve’s daring, flamboyant style and extraordinary ability in extreme conditions earned him legendary status in motorsport, with his rain-soaked Watkins Glen victory widely regarded as one of the finest drives of his career.
Each of the twelve editions is priced at £14,295.00 GBP / $18,995.00 USD and includes:
- A hand-built 1:8 scale Ferrari 312 T4 Watkins Glen 1979 replica
- Four exclusive A2 archive-quality Richard Kelley photographic prints
- A personally signed certificate of authenticity from Melanie Villeneuve
- Premium presentation packaging
For more information, and to place an order, click here: https://www.amalgamcollection.com/products/ferrari-312-t4-1979-us-east-grand-prix-villeneuve-weathered#&gid=1&pid=3