#8064 Sauber Mercedes C9 (#61) 1988 Le Mans
The motor and the attention to detail are by
far the best part of this car. The motor is richly
detailed in both color and authenticity.
HPI's latest group of hyper-detailed 1:43
scale die-cast model cars features the Le Mans-winning Sauber
Mercedes C9 race car in accurate racing livery for discerning
model car collectors!
The C9 was the result of teamwork between the Sauber racing
team, who built the chassis, and Mercedes-Benz, who manufactured
the 5.0-litre turbocharged V8 engine. The first season of World
Sports Car Championship racing ended in disappointment with a
twelfth place finish after scoring in only one race. Neither of
the team's two cars were able to finish the famous Le Mans 24hr
endurance race, and the team resolved to improve their luck in
the following year's race. The second racing season, in 1988,
brought five points-scoring finishes and second place in the
championship but again the team was forced to prematurely end
their Le Mans race effort.
For the 1989 World Sports Car Championship season, Mercedes-Benz
improved the engine further and the entire team set their sites
on success for the championship and at Le Mans. Their focus was
rewarded with wins at all but one race in the WSCC series, and
after two disappointing attempts at Le Mans, the #63 Sauber C9
won the 1989 Le Mans 24hr race with drivers Jochen Mass, Manuel
Reuter and Stanley Dickens. During qualifying, the C9 broke the
top speed record for the Mulsanne Straight during qualifying by
reaching 400 kmh (248mph), a record which stood until the
following year. These fabulously high top speeds were the reason
two chicanes were installed for the 1991 race, forever setting
the C9's speed as the second fastest ever in the history of
endurance racing.
Very nicely crafted in 1:43 scale by HPI, this is the 1988
Sauber Mercedes C9 as driven at LeMans by Baldi, Weaver, and
Mass. HPI Racing, known world wide for their superior R/C
products, now enters the very competitive 1:43 scale die cast
market. With desirable and interesting subject matter, along
with impressive detail and accuracy,
The doors of this car do not open, but still this car has a
fully painted and detailed interior, complete with a roll cage,
racing seat, fire extinguisher, steering wheel, and dashboard
this shows a commitment to Precision, how many other die cast
manufactures go to such lengths. For a sealed body car of this
scale this is a lot of detail to add for the few of us who will
open the car up. Thank you HPI.
The engine and underside of this car are
extremely well detailed and to scale as well. The plumbing of
the fuel cell and fuel pumps are almost perfect. The coloring of
the fittings and the foe steel webbed fuel lines are
phenomenonal. HPI even replicated the welds to an outstanding
degree.
The paint and even the sponsor logos
are color-matched for exact scale
Just a great looking car from any angle. You could not ask for a
better looking, more highly detailed or of better quality then
you would find in this car. I would say for any race fan this is
a must have.
With Kind Regards,
Frank
Incredible attention has been paid to make
the cars as true to scale as possible. Fine exterior details
like disc brakes, brake calipers, mirrors, wing, exhaust,
tow hooks and radio antennae combine to make the models
extremely realistic.
The Case Score;
The Case is so good it has flaws, if you can understand that. It
seals so tight, opening tends to be Problematic. I almost
dropped this car taking it out of the case...To is good point it
will always be dust free.