- New
The Dinky Toys 222 Hesketh 308E F1 racing car is a miniature that still exudes the impetuous energy of the Formula 1 world of the late 1970s. Produced between 1978 and 1980, this model is a small tribute to one of the most distinctive teams in racing history, known for its idiosyncrasy and daring. The 308E, in real life a car that fought for its place in an increasingly competitive sport, takes on an almost heroic appearance in this miniature, with its sleek lines, slightly aggressive stance, and imbued with the atmosphere of a time when every race still sounded like a mechanical duel between man and machine.
In very good condition, the model displays its sharp contours and carefully applied color accents, which together capture the dynamism of speed and competition. The metal retains its original sheen, the decals are tight, and the wheels look as if they were rolling out of a pit lane again. The small cockpit, half-hidden yet suggestive enough, gives the impression of a racing driver ready to rev the engine at any moment. The model possesses that rare balance between playfulness and technical seriousness, as if it were a small monument to an era when innovation and bravado often went hand in hand.
The original packaging further enriches the experience. The box bears the aesthetics of its time, bright colors, sleek typography, and a presentation that not only protects the model but also celebrates it. The packaging acts as a stage where the racing car can reprise its role, a reminder of store shelves, children's eyes filled with anticipation, and the feeling of taking a piece of the Formula 1 world home with them. The combination of a superbly preserved model and its original packaging elevates its collector's value to a level that is both historical and emotional.
This Hesketh 308E therefore remains more than a miniature; it is a small fragment of motorsport history, captured in metal and cardboard. It recalls a sport where guts, sound and speed felt even rawer, and a time when toy cars like this weren't just for playing with but for admiring, small rolling echoes of big stories on the track.