If you’ve been wandering around the Hooniverse for some time now, you know that we’re fans of the lovely scale beauties put out by the team at Automodello. We’ve examined the Griffith Series 200 and a Bricklin SV-1. We also got up close with the larger 1:24 scale Phantom Corsair, which is quite simply an absolute stunner.

Now it’s time to examine a piece of Ford history because Automodello has recently released it’s 1:43 scale version of the Mustang I Concept car.

The Ford Mustang I Concept was created in 1962, and was first shown to the public at a U.S. Grand Prix race held at Watkins Glen. This concept car shows that the Mustang we know today almost didn’t happen, and that the car could’ve gone in a very different direction. The concept is a two-seat roadster with power provided by mid-mounted V4 engine. This was the 1.5-liter unit found in a variety of Ford products, as well as the Saab Sonett. It also wound up powering the Thiokol Snowcat for a bit.

Lee Iacocca was the main man behind this concept vehicle, and the goal was to create a car to compete with the Chevrolet Corvair Monza. The name Mustang came about thanks to Ford designer and stylist John Najjar, who was a massive fan of the P51 Mustang fighter plane. Designer Philip Clark also gets credit for the name as well, since it’s said that he pitched the name to executives after a drive through Nevada that saw wild horses roaming the land. Regardless, it’s an important name in the automotive world and we’re glad both men saw it through from the original concept onto the Mustang II concept.

Automodello have recreated the Mustang I Concept to honor the 50th anniversary of one of America’s greatest machines. As with most of their creations, only a handful are being produced. The standard version will see just 999 examples made, while a limited-edition 50 car run will be produced and adorned with Dan Gurney’s signature.

If you want to go bigger, Automodello will also produce the Mustang I Concept in 1/24 scale. These will be produced in a batch of just 499 units. Additionally, a 150-unit run will be offered with Mr. Gurney’s John Hancock attached.

The cost, as you might imagine, is high. You’re paying for outstanding quality, however, and the limited-edition runs help ensure that you’re snagging a piece of scale-car history. The standard 1/43 scale cars carry a MSRP of $119.95, while the 50 hand-signed versions cost $195.00

The larger 1/24 units sell for $299.95, and the Gurney-signed big boys go for $350.00. There’s no question that’s a handsome sum, but Automodello always delivers when it comes to top-tier focus with regards to the quality and detail.

  

[Disclaimer: Automodello sent me a copy in the mail, it’s sitting on my desk, and it’s classing up the joint tremendously.]