Bburago Ferrari Guide: From Race & Play to the Signature Series
No two die-cast names are more intertwined than Bburago and Ferrari. The partnership built the Italian brand, its loss broke it, and its 2015 return rebuilt it. For South African collectors — from F1 fans to vintage Testarossa hunters — this is the complete guide to Bburago’s Prancing Horses.
The Ferrari Licence: Loss and Return
Through the 1980s and 1990s, Bburago was Ferrari in miniature: the Testarossa, F40 and 308 in 1:18 were the definitive affordable Ferrari replicas, sold in toy shops from Milan to Johannesburg. Then, in the early 2000s, Fiat granted Mattel exclusive Ferrari die-cast rights — and Bburago, stripped of its signature subject, slid into bankruptcy in 2005. The May Cheong Group’s rescue is told in our Bburago brand guide.
Quick answer: Bburago Ferrari Guide: From Race & Play to the Signature Series – what it is, what to check before buying, typical SA prices in Rand and where to find one locally. Full details below.
The happy ending: in 2015 the Ferrari licence came home to Bburago, and the Prancing Horse has anchored the range ever since. The Mattel side of the Ferrari story has its own twists, covered in our Hot Wheels Ferrari guide and the Hot Wheels x Ferrari renewed partnership feature.
The Current Bburago Ferrari Ranges
- Ferrari Race & Play 1:43 — the affordable entry: current road cars and racers at pocket-money prices.
- Ferrari Race & Play 1:24 — opening doors and bonnets on the bigger stage.
- Ferrari Race & Play 1:18 — the display-scale heartland, with the working features detailed in our Bburago 1:18 guide.
- Ferrari Signature Series — the premium tier: richer paint, finer detail, flagship subjects like the LaFerrari and SF90.
- Scuderia Ferrari F1 — officially licensed current-season Formula 1 cars in 1:43 and 1:18. More below.
The F1 Range: Maranello’s Grid in Miniature
Bburago’s Scuderia Ferrari F1 models are a phenomenon of their own: official replicas of the current-season cars — Leclerc’s and Hamilton’s machines in 2026 — at prices every F1 fan can reach. In South Africa, where F1 viewership has exploded, these are among the fastest-moving die-cast items in the market. They display beautifully alongside the road cars and make superb gateway gifts for racing fans new to the hobby — see the diecast gift guide for more ideas along those lines.
The Vintage Italian Era
For established collectors, the magic word is Italian-era: Bburago Ferraris made before 2005. The Testarossa and F40 in 1:18 are the recognised classics, with the 288 GTO and early F1 cars close behind. Condition rules this market — grade carefully with the condition grading guide, and remember that the window box carries real value. These pieces slot naturally into an Italian-themed collection; see our Italian diecast cars guide for the wider Maranello-to-Modena landscape.
Bburago Ferrari Prices in South Africa (2026)
| Range | New (retail) | Used (fair price) |
|---|---|---|
| Ferrari 1:43 | R200 – R350 | R100 – R200 |
| Ferrari 1:24 | R500 – R800 | R250 – R500 |
| Ferrari 1:18 | R1,000 – R2,000 | R500 – R1,200 |
| Signature Series | R1,800 – R3,000 | R900 – R2,000 |
| F1 (1:43 / 1:18) | R350 – R1,500 | R200 – R900 |
| Vintage Italian-era 1:18 | — | R800 – R2,500+ |
Cross-check the broader market in the SA price guide before paying collector prices for vintage pieces.
Bburago Ferrari: Frequently Asked Questions
Does Bburago still make Ferrari models?
Yes — since 2015 Bburago has held the Ferrari die-cast licence under the May Cheong Group, and Ferrari is now the backbone of the modern range. Current production covers 1:43, 1:24 and 1:18 road cars, the premium Signature Series and officially licensed Scuderia Ferrari Formula 1 cars.
Why did Bburago stop making Ferrari in the 2000s?
In the early 2000s Fiat granted Mattel exclusive Ferrari die-cast rights, cutting Bburago off from the subject that had made it famous. The loss was a major factor in the company’s 2005 bankruptcy. After the May Cheong Group rescued Bburago, the licence returned in 2015 and Ferrari production resumed.
How much is a Bburago Ferrari worth in South Africa?
New 1:43 Ferraris retail for roughly R200–R350, 1:24 for R500–R800 and 1:18 for R1,000–R2,000, with Signature Series and F1 models at the top of the range. Used values depend heavily on condition and box: expect R100–R1,500 for most pieces, and more for clean vintage Italian-era models.
Are vintage Bburago Ferraris collectible?
Yes — the Italian-era Bburago Ferraris from the 1980s and 1990s, especially the Testarossa, F40 and 288 GTO in 1:18, are genuine nostalgia collectibles with a steady market. Mint boxed examples bring R800–R2,500 or more in South Africa; playworn pieces remain cheap entry points at R200–R600.
Bburago or Hot Wheels for a Ferrari collection?
They complement rather than compete. Hot Wheels gives you 1:64 Ferraris for the peg wall — see our Hot Wheels Ferrari guide — while Bburago covers the big scales with opening features for the display cabinet. A complete Ferrari collection usually runs both.
Further reading: the official Bburago site for the current Ferrari catalogue, Ferrari’s official site for the real cars, and the Bburago Wikipedia article for the licence history.
Last reviewed: 2 October 2026 by the Unnew team. Checked against official sources – Hot Wheels, Matchbox and hobbyDB – plus the South African collector community.