A beautiful 1:6th scale scratch-built model, signed and numbered by Patrice De Conto. Master model builder Patrice was born in Belfort, France, December 30th 1951. He studied pharmacy at university and worked for ten year as a pharmacist. But his hobby, building models, which he started at the very early age of 7 took him away from field of pharmacy into professional model making. Patrice’s first professional efforts were displayed at Retromobile in Paris 1990 and the breath-taking results put Patrice’s name to the fore in the select world of large-scale model makers. His completely handcrafted models, made from aluminium, brass, white metal and many hand turned parts, are accurate scale recreations of the original vehicles and are sought after as collectors’ items worldwide. This particular model of the Lancia D50 was a Formula One racing car designed by Vittorio Jano for Lancia in 1954. Driven by Alberto Ascari, the car's design made use of many innovative features, such as the use of the engine as a stressed chassis member, the off-centre positioning of the engine to allow a lower overall height, and pannier fuel cells for better weight distribution and aerodynamics. This spectacular model, built in 2014, is 1 of only 8 examples and comes presented in immaculate condition complete with acrylic showcase and timber transportation case.