#107 Group C

by modelM43in carson Posted on

Published January 20, 2026 | Last update January 20, 2026 | 48 models in collection

The roots of the Group C category lie in the GTP category introduced by the ACO at Le Mans in the mid-1970s. GTP existed next to Group 6 and was a class for roofed prototypes, but instead of the more usual limits on engine capacity, it placed limits on fuel consumption. The category was not very popular but brought some interesting cars to Le Mans. The FIA applied the same concept in the Group C rules. It limited cars to a minimum weight of 800 kg and a maximum fuel capacity of 100 liters and a maximum fuel consumption of 600 liters over 1.000 km. Manufacturers had great freedom in aerodynamic (ground effect) and engines (number of cylinders and lay-out / normally aspirated / turbo / rotary).

The main European manufacturers were Porsche, Jaguar and Mercedes. In Japan, Nissan, Toyota and Mazda all constructed Group C cars. Many of these can already be found in other collections on this website. In the USA, the IMSA GTP rules were somewhat different, engines had to be based on production car engines and the cars were heavier but Group C chassis fitted in the IMSA regulations. In this collection I combine group C and GTP models, mainly from smaller manufacturers. Enjoy!

1981 – Group C before Group C

The new Group C regulations would be active in 1982. But ACO already allowed future Group C cars to run in 1981 by releasing the 3-liter limit. The GTP Rondeaus did exceptionally well also.

1981 Le Mans 24h, Rondeau M379C. After the win in 1980, Rondeau entered no less than 5 cars this year. Two in GTP and three in the faster Group 6 category. The GTP’s did exceptionally well finishing 2nd and 3rd overall. Victory went to the new factory prepared Porsche 936/81.
#7 Jean Louis Schlesser (F) / Phillippe Streif (F) / Jacky Haran (F) – 2nd / 1st GTP
#8 Gordon Spice (GB) / François Migault (F) – 3rd / 2nd GTP
Rondeau M379C – 3.0 liter Ford Cosworth DFV V8 90º, approx 450 hp. Goodyear tires. Weight 815 kg. Steel space frame, chassisnr. M379 #003 & #002

  • IXO Classic Le Mans & GT Cars LMC050 & LMC051 (diecast)

1981 Le Mans 24h, Lola T600 – Porsche. The Group C category was officially launched in 1982. But the year prior to that, the engine limit of 3-liter was abandoned already. Porsche ran 2.6 liter turbo’s and this newly developed Lola T600 a 3.0 liter turbo engine. But the Cooke Racing car had all kind of troubles during qualifying and ended up in 61st spot, not enough to qualify for the race.
#17 Bobby Rahal (USA) / Brian Redman (GB) / Roy Woods (GB) – DNQ
Cooke Lola T600 – 3.0 liter Porsche Type 930/79 flat-6 turbo, approx. 600 hp. Goodyear tires. Weight 860 kg. Aluminium monocoque, chassisnr. #HU02

  • SPARK S8606 (resin)
    • Overall rating: 5 STARS | Quality details: 4 STARS | Estimated value: 4 STARS

1981 Le Mans 24h, Porsche 917 K/81. Kremer built this completely new 917K in 1981 when the engine rules changed towards the new Group C regulations for 1982. The car was based on the last 917’s from 1971 but with a stiffened chassis, changed geometry to handle the modern slick tires and a rear wing. The car was beautiful but much slower than the original 917 due to wrong settings of the gearbox and the rear wing that hadn’t been tested in the wind tunnel and caused a lot of drag. It had to retire with a broken oil pipe.
#10 Bob Wollek (F) / Xavier Lapeyre (F) / Guy Chasseuil (F) – DNF
Kremer Porsche 917 K/81 – 5.0 liter Porsche 912.11 V12 180º, approx. 600 hp. Dunlop tires. Weight 900 kg. Aluminium space frame, chassisnr. Kremer #K/81

  • SPARK S0917 (resin)
    • Overall rating: 5 STARS | Quality details: 4 STARS | Estimated value: 4 STARS

1982

Group C attracted many manufacturers, from large car producers such as Ford, experienced Le Mans winners Porsche (that would dominate the first 5 years) and small teams such as Sauber or Grid.

The Porsche 956 dominated the first years of Group C. Models can be found here:
Rothmans Porsches; Joest Porsches; Kremer Porsches; Brun Porsches.

1982 Le Mans 24h, Ford C100. In 1982, the new group C regulations seduced Ford and they returned with the C100. It was powered by the successful F1 Cosworth engine, this time enlarged to 3.9 liter. That was part of the problem; the Cosworth DFL vibrated so much that it tore chassis’ apart. That was the other problem; the aluminum chassis was not rigid enough and flexed far too much. Both Zakspeed entered cars retired.
#6 Klaus Ludwig (D) / Manfred Winkelhock (D) / Marc Surer (CH) – DNF
Ford C100- 3.0 liter Cosworth DFV V8 90º, approx. 550 hp. Goodyear tires. Weight 830 kg. Aluminum monocoque, chassisnr. Thompson #004

  • BIZARRE BZ339 (resin)
    • Overall rating: 5 STARS | Quality details: 4 STARS | Estimated value: 5 STARS

1982 Le Mans 24h, Lola T610. The new group C rules allowed great freedom in design as can be seen on this catamaran shaped Lola T600 and T610. Guy Edwards was a good driver but also famous for his ability to do sponsor deals, this time he arranged one with Hawaiian Tropic. The Porsche 956s won and this Cosworth engined Lola retired, the other Lola T610 from Cooke Racing didn’t finish either because it ran out of fuel.
#16 Guy Edwards (GB) / Rupert Keegan (GB) / Nick Faure (GB)
Lola T610 – 3.9 liter Ford Cosworth DFL V8 approximately. 550 hp. Avon tires. Weight 920 kg. Aluminium monocoque, chassisnr. HU01

  • BIZARRE BZ 358 (resin)
    • Overall rating: 5 STARS | Quality details: 5 STARS | Estimated value: 5 STARS

1982 Le Mans 24h, Lola T610 – Cosworth. Cooke Racing came back to Le Mans with a Lola after last year’s failure. This year, their new Lola T610 used the 3.9 liter version of the Ford Cosworth F1 engine. The DFL had much vibrations and apparently higher fuel consumption than expected; after 28 laps the car came to a stop along the track with an empty fuel tank …
#17 Brian Redman (GB) / Ralph Kent-Cooke (USA) / Jim Adams (USA) – DNF
Cooke Lola T610 – 3.9 liter Ford Cosworth DFL V8 90º approx. 550 hp. Goodyear tires. Weight 825 kg. Aluminium monocoque, chassisnr. #HU02

  • BIZARRE BZ357 (resin)
    • Overall rating: 4 STARS | Quality details: 4 STARS | Estimated value:4 STARS

1982 Le Mans 24h, Grid S1. the Grid S1 was a distinctive design with its formula car nose cone poking out the main body, probably inspired by the Lola T600 that G.R.I.D. Racing used in 1981. The Grid was designed by former Lotus employee Geoff Aldridge, but lack of funds lead to a much too heavy, underpowered car. The remarkable design generated so much drag that the topspeed was only 300 km/h. The only positive was the support of the Hawaiian Tropic girls!
#37 Emilio de Villota (ES) / Alain de Cadenet (GB) / Desiree Wilson (SA) – DNF
G.R.I.D. Racing Grid S1 – 3.9 liter Cosworth DFL V8, approx. 550 hp. Dunlop tires. Weight 907 kg. Aluminium monocoque, chassisnr. #GA01

  • SPARK Le Centenaire S9423 (resin)
    • Overall rating: 5 STARS | Quality details: 5 STARS | Estimated value: 5 STARS

1982 Le Mans 24h, Sauber SHS C6. Swiss Peter Sauber used to build small sportscars with 4 cylinder engines. Together with construction company Seger & Hoffman he designed this group C racing car. It used the same long stroke Cosworth engine as the Ford C100, which was a disaster. The engine produced such vibrations that it destroyed the engine mountings.
#20 Hans J. Stuck (D) / Dieter Quester (A) / Jean-Louis Schlesser (F) – DNF
GS Tuning Sauber SHS C6 – 3.9 liter Ford Cosworth DFL V8 90º approx. 550 hp. Dunlop tires. Weight 800 kg. Aluminium monocoque, chassisnr. Seger & Hoffman #unknown

  • BIZARRE BZ 482 (resin)
    • Overall rating: 5 STARS | Quality details: 4 STARS | Estimated value: 5 STARS

1982 Le Mans 24h, Mirage M12. The Mirage M12 created to contest the Group C Category was a ground-effect car, designed by John Horsman and built by Howden Ganley‘s Tiga Race Cars in the UK. The car was a bit heavy but its aerodynamic design made it go over 340 kmh (212 mph) on the Le Mans straight. Mario and Michael Andretti qualified on the 5th row but were removed from the grid because of a non-compliant oil cooler. Horsman didn’t even try to change the unsafe postion of the oil cooler in the limited time available and the car didn’t start the race at all.
#27 Mario Andretti (USA) / Michael Andretti (USA) – DNS
Grand Touring Cars Inc. Mirage M12 – 3.9 liter Cosworth DFL V8 90º, approx. 550 hp. Goodyear tires. Weight 820 kg. Aluminum monocoque, chassisnr. M12 #001 (Tiga)

  • SPARK S9475 (resin)
    • Overall rating: 5 STARS | Quality details: 5 STARS | Estimated value: 4 STARS

1983

1983 Le Mans 24h, Rondeau M482 – Cosworth. Ford killed the C100 project after only one season and officially supported Rondeau that was the last Le Mans winner using Ford’s engine. The Rondeau M482 Group C car looked very spectacular with the huge venturi’s but the chassis had big troubles with the ground effect just like modern Formula 1 cars. Also, the strong vibrating Cosworth DFL engine made it no match for the Porsches. All three cars went out with engine related problems.
#24 Henri Pescarolo (F) / Thierry Boutsen (B) – DNF
Rondeau M482 – 3.9 liter Cosworth DFL V8 90º, approx. 550 hp. Goodyear tires. Weight 820 kg. Aluminum monocoque, chassisnr. M482 #002

  • BIZARRE BZ24 (resin)
    • Overall rating: 5 STARS | Quality details: 5 STARS | Estimated value: 4 STARS

1983 Le Mans 24h, Dome R82C. Dome Racing and Colin Bennett entered this Group C Dome with Cosworth engine, as many other small teams. The car was designed by Dome but the chassis was built by March. It lacked speed and failed to finish due to a broken clutch.
#38 Chris Craft (GB) / Eliseo Salazar (RCH) / Nick Mason (GB)
Dome RC82 – 3.3 liter Ford Cosworth DFL V8 approximately. 500 hp. Dunlop tires. Weight 905 kg. Aluminium monocoque, chassisnr. #01 (March / Dome)

  • BIZARRE BZ31 (resin)
    • Overall rating: 4 STARS | Quality details: 4 STARS | Estimated value: 4 STARS

1983 Le Mans 24h, Lancia LC2/83. Lancia’s only real group C car was a spectacular one, the chassis was built by Dallara and powered by a Ferrari V8 turbo engine. It could match the speed of the Porsche 956, qualifying 2nd, but not its reliability. All three Martini Lancia’s broke down, this one already after 27 laps with a gearbox failure.
#4 Michele Alboreto (I) / Teo Fabi (I) / Alessandro Nannini (I) – DNF
Lancia LC2/83 – 2.6 liter Ferrari Abarth V8 90º twin turbo, approx. 650 hp. Michelin tires. Weight 850 kg. Aluminium monocoque, chassisnr. Dallara #0002

  • SPARK S0650 (resin)
    • Overall rating: 4 STARS | Quality details: 4 STARS | Estimated value: 4 STARS

1983 Le Mans 24h, Cougar C01B. Yves Courage had won the 2-liter group 6 category in 1981 in a Lola and after that started building his own cars. They would be Courage in the future, but his first designs were called Cougar. The C01B (the same car as last year’s C01) is a simple aluminium monocoque with a Cosworth client engine, unfortunately that one seized. Maybe he should have taken another number …
#13 Yves Courage (F) / Michel Dubois (F) / Alain de Cadenet (GB) – DNF
Primagaz Cougar C01B – 3.3 liter Ford Cosworth DFL, approximately. 520 hp. Michelin tires. Weight 808 kg. Aluminium monocoque, chassisnr. #01

  • SPARK S9500 (resin)
    • Overall rating: 4 STARS | Quality details: 4 STARS | Estimated value: 4 STARS

1983 Daytona 24h, Nimrod NRA/C2. A.J. Foyt and Darell Waltrip started in this Lola based Nimrod. The Aston Martin engine gave up the ghost and Foyt continued the race in the Preston Henn Porsche 935 to win the race after all! Third driver on the car was Guillermo Maldonado, not related to Pastor …
#11 A.J. Foyt (USA) / Darell Waltrip (USA) / Guillermo Maldonado (ARG) – DNF
Nimrod Racing Nimrod NRA/C2 – 5.3 liter Aston Martin Tickford V8, approx. 550 hp. Goodyear tires. Weight 900 kg. Aluminium monocoque, chassisnr. (Lola T385) #002

  • SPARK S0563 (resin)
    • Overall rating: 5 STARS | Quality details: 5 STARS | Estimated value: 5 STARS

1983 Fuji 1000 km, Tom’s 83C. One of the first Japanese producers of Group C cars was Dome. Their cars were used by Dome but also by Tom’s, a tuner that is in close relation with Toyota. Tom’s renamed the Toyota engined car and used it in a number of races in the Fuji Long Distance Series and All Japan Sports Prototype Championship.
#19 Masanori Sekiya (J) / Keiji Matsumoto (J) / Kaoru Hoshino (J) – DNF
Tom’s 83C – 2.1 liter Toyota 4T-GT straight-4 twin turbo, approx. 600 hp. Bridgestone tires. Weight 920 kg. Aluminium monocoque, chassisnr. #unknown (Dome)

  • EBBRO Toyota Racing Series 44478 (diecast)
    • Overall rating: 4 STARS | Quality details: 4 STARS | Estimated value: 4 STARS

More Toyota Group C cars can be found in #068 Toyota Prototypes

1984

1984 Le Mans 24h, Jaguar XJR-5. American Bob Tullius had this beautiful IMSA Jaguar V12 built by Fabcar. It wasn’t fast enough to compete with the group C Porsches, but it sure got the attention of the Jaguar factory. Two years later Jaguar gave Tom Walkinshaw the mission to build a group C car that could challenge Porsche.
#40 John Watson (GB) / Claude Ballot-Lena (F) / Tony Adamowicz (USA) – DNF
Group 44 Jaguar XJR-5 – 6.0 liter Jaguar V12 90º, approx. 600 hp. Goodyear tires. Weight 1050 kg. Aluminum monocoque, chassisnr. #006 (Fabcar)

  • BIZARRE BZ24 (resin)
    • Overall rating: 4 STARS | Quality details: 4 STARS | Estimated value: 5 STARS

1984 Imola 1000 km, Lancia LC2 – Ferrari. Jolly Club received one of the former Martini LC2’s and raced it in several occasions in 1984 with sponsorship from totip. At Imola it ran with an additional front wing but finished only 9th after it took some damage.
#29 Pierluigi Martini (I) / Mauro Baldi (I) – 9th
Jolly Club Lancia LC2/83 – 2.6 liter Ferrari Abarth V8 90º twin turbo, approx. 650 hp. Dunlop tires. Weight 850 kg. Aluminium monocoque, chassisnr. Dallara #0006

  • SPARK MCP001 special Model Car Passion #385 / 400 pcs (resin)
    • Overall rating: 5 STARS | Quality details: 5 STARS | Estimated value: 5 STARS

1984 Le Mans 24h, Lancia LC2 – Ferrari. Jolly Club cooperates close to the Lancia works team and often receives the former factory cars, both rally and race. In 1984 Jolly operates the Lancia LC2 at Le Mans but retire with a blown head gasket.
#6 Pierluigi Martini (I) / Beppe Gabbiani (I) / Xavier Lapeyre (F) – DNF
Jolly Club Lancia LC2/83 – 2.6 liter Ferrari Abarth V8 90º twin turbo, approx. 650 hp. Dunlop tires. Weight 850 kg. Aluminium monocoque, chassisnr. Dallara #0006

  • SPARK S0655 (resin)
    • Overall rating: 4 STARS | Quality details: 4 STARS | Estimated value: 5 STARS

1984 Le Mans 24h, Nimrod NRA/C2B. Viscount Downe entered two B-spec Nimrods for the 1984 Le Mans race. Sadly, John Sheldon crashed the #32 car at Mulsanne Straight, killing a track marshall. The #31 car was close behind and couldn’t avoid his unlucky teammate. Both cars were out.
#31 Ray Mallock (GB) / Drake Olson (USA) / Richard Attwood (GB) DNS – DNF
Viscount Downe Nimrod NRA/C2B – 5.3 liter Aston Martin Tickford V8, approx. 550 hp. Avon tires. Weight 900 kg. Aluminium monocoque, chassisnr. (Lola T385) #005

  • SPARK S0564 (resin)
    • Overall rating: 4 STARS | Quality details: 4 STARS | Estimated value: 4 STARS

1984 Le Mans 24h, ADA 01. British A.D.A. Engineering built a group C2 car with the same Cosworth V8 engine that many teams used in those days. But it wasn’t the engine that was the weakest point, it was the 10 year old Lola chassis that it was based upon that broke early in the race. The car wasn’t expected to finish well at all. It wasn’t designed for endurance racing, the fuel tank capacity was only 47 liters and it missed the start of the race because the engine wouldn’t fire up …
#79 Glenn Smith (GB) / Ian Harrower (GB) / Bill Wolff (GB) – DNF
ADA 01 – 3.3 liter Ford Cosworth DFL V8 approximately. 500 hp. Dunlop tires. Weight 750 kg. Aluminium monocoque, chassisnr. Lola T380 #HU04

  • BIZARRE BZ81 (resin)
    • Overall rating: 4 STARS | Quality details: 4 STARS | Estimated value: 4 STARS

1984 Le Mans 24h, WM P83B. Roger Dorchy qualified the Peugeot powered WM P83B surprisingly fast; 8th overall. He could keep the pace of the Porsches for a while until he crashed while braking for Mulsanne corner. He managed to continue, but with some red bodywork of his teammate #24. Some hours later, the WM had to retire with a broken gearbox.
#23 Roger Dorchy (F) / Alain Couderc (F) / Gérard Patté (F) – DNF
WM Secateva WM P83P – 2,6 liter Peugeot PRV V6 turbo, approx. 600 hp. Michelin tires. weight 850 kg. Aluminium monocoque, chassisnr. WM P82-01

  • BIZARRE BZ 368 (resin)
    • Overall rating: 4 STARS | Quality details: 4 STARS | Estimated value: 4 STARS

1984 Daytona 24h, March 83G. In European Group C, Porsche 956 dominated from the beginning. In American IMSA GTP more different chassis and engine combinations could be found. In the end a Porsche engined car won anyway. But it wasn’t the new 962 that made its US debut, it was the March 83G entered by South African Kreepy Krauly Racing.
#00 Sarel van der Merwe (SA) / Graham Duxbury (SA) / Tony Martin (SA) – 1st
Kreepy Krauly Racing March 83G – 3.2 liter Porsche 962/71 flat-6 turbo, approx. 600 hp. Goodyear tires. Weight 900 kg. Aluminium monocoque, chassisnr. 83G #04

  • SPARK Daytona Collection 43DA84 (resin)
    • Overall rating: 4 STARS | Quality details: 4 STARS | Estimated value: 4 STARS

1984 Riverside 6h, March 83G. A popular GTP chassis came from March, powered by Porsche turbo or Chevrolet V8 engines. The March 83G was being used by several teams such as Holbert, Momo Corse, Kreepy Krauly and Red Lobster. This last one finished 3rd at the Riverside 6 hour race.
#25 Kenper Miller (USA) / Dave Cowart (USA) – 3rd
Red Lobster Racing – 5.7 liter Chevrolet LS7 V8, approx. 600 hp. Goodyear tires. Weight 900 kg. Aluminium monocoque, chassisnr. 83G #03

  • SPARK S2992 (resin)
    • Overall rating: 4 STARS | Quality details: 4 STARS | Estimated value: 4 STARS

1985

1985 Le Mans 24h, Lancia LC2/85. In 1984, only one of the three Lancia’s reached the finish at Le Mans. In 1985, the final year of the program, the Italian beasts have become more reliable; they reach the 6th and 7th places behind an armada of Porsches. Later in the season it won the 1000 km race at Spa-Francorchamps.
#4 Alessandro Nannini (I) / Bob Wollek (F) / Lucio Cesario (I) – 6th
Lancia LC2/85– 2.6 liter Ferrari Abarth V8 90º twin turbo, approx. 720 hp. Michelin tires. Weight 850 kg. Aluminium monocoque, chassisnr. Dallara #0002

  • SPARK S0656 (resin)
    • Overall rating: 4 STARS | Quality details: 4 STARS | Estimated value: 4 STARS

1985 Le Mans 24h, Gebhardt JC853. The A.D.A. engineering car was one of two Gebhardts in this years race. The sleek German built car was powered by a Cosworth DFL as most of the C2 competitors and it finished second in class behind a Tiga – Cosworth but at such a distance from the winner that it did not classify. TheHawaiian Tropic advertising was put on the car after qualifying. The Spark model doesn’t have this and this Bizarre model does have the stickers. Unfortunately I couldn’t find any pictures of the girls with the car, probably because those kind of pictures are often taken on Friday when the stickers weren’t on yet ….
#75 John Sheldon (GB) / Steve Earle (GB) / Ian Harrower (GB) – 16th / 2nd C2 – DNC
A.D.A. Gebhardt JC843 – 3.3 liter Ford Cosworth DFL V8, approx. 470 hp. Avon tires. Weight 750 kg. Aluminium monocoque, chassisnr. #840-2

  • BIZARRE BZ424 (resin)
    • Overall rating: 4 STARS | Quality details: 4 STARS | Estimated value: 4 STARS

1985 Le Mans 24h, Rondeau 382. The M382 made its debut already in 1982 and was the first Rondeau to comply with the Group C technical regulations. Nevertheless, the M382 was largely based on the most successful Rondeau, the M379 model, with which Jean Rondeau was able to win the 1980 24 Hours of Le Mans together with Jean-Pierre Jaussaud. This all French crew didn’t make it to the finish because the Cosworth engine quit, it was a 3.0 liter DFV and not the feared 3.9 liter.
#31 Pierre Yver (F) / Pierre-François Rousselot (F) / François Servanin (F) – DNF
Primagaz Rondeau M382 – 3.0 liter Ford Cosworth DFV, approx. 520 hp. Dunlop tires. Weight 820 kg. Aluminium monocoque, chassisnr. #05

  • SPARK S 8464 (resin)
    • Overall rating: 4 STARS | Quality details: 4 STARS | Estimated value: 4 STARS

1985 Le Mans 24h, WM P83B. WM was one of the first makes to build a group C car, but it didn’t develop much over the years. The 1985 car was still a P83B, originally built in 1982. Despite the presence of Jean Rondeau – winner in 1980 in his own car – the team could not impress.
#42 Jean Rondeau (F) / Michel Pignard (F) / Jean-Daniël Raulet (F) – 17th
WM P83B – 2.6 liter Peugeot PRV V6 twin turbo, approx. 600 hp. Michelin tires. Weight 850 kg. Aluminium monocoque, chassisnr. #P82-01

  • BIZARRE BZ 382 (resin)
    • Overall rating: 4 STARS | Quality details: 4 STARS | Estimated value: 4 STARS

1986

The TWR Jaguars made their Le Mans debut in 1986, not yet successful but that would change and Jaguar became Porsche’s greatest challenger. It was all started by the Bob Tulius’ Jaguar in 1984.

The TWR Jaguars can be found in #003 TWR Jaguar

1986 Le Mans 24h, WM P86. WM started building GTP cars and were among the first makes to build a group C car, but it didn’t develop much over the years. The 1986 car was a P86 in name, but almost identical to the P83B’s from previous years. It retired with a broken Peugeot engine.
#41 Francois Migault (F) / Michel Pignard (F) / Jean-Daniël Raulet (F) – DNF
WM P86 – 2.8 liter Peugeot PRV V6 twin turbo, approx. 600 hp. Michelin tires. Weight 850 kg. Aluminium monocoque, chassisnr. #P86-01

  • BIZARRE BZ930 (resin)
    • Overall rating: 4 STARS | Quality details: 4 STARS | Estimated value: 4 STARS

1986 Le Mans 24h, Sauber C8 . The Sauber C8 with Mercedes support won a world championship race at Nürburgring in the pouring rain (I know, I was there). But before that, the team entered two cars for Le Mans. Both retired already at saturday evening. This one with a broken gearbox, the sister car with a blown Mercedes engine.
#62 Henri Pescarolo (F) / Dieter Quester (A) / Christian Danner (D) – DNF
Kouros Sauber C8 – 5.0 liter Mercedes M119 HL V8 twin-turbo, approx. 650 hp. Goodyear tires. Weight 870 kg. Aluminium monocoque, chassisnr. C8/86-01

  • SPARK S1258 (resin)
    • Overall rating: 4 STARS | Quality details: 4 STARS | Estimated value: 4 STARS

1986 Le Mans 24h, Spice SE86C. Group C1 was dominated by Porsche. Ford and Lancia tried, but couldn’t change this. Group C2 was the domain of the small chassis builders: Gordon Spice was very successful with his Cosworth powered Spice Fiero finishing 2nd in the C2 world championship. In Le Mans they only finished 6th in C2 and 19th overall.
#70 Gordon Spice (GB) / Ray Bellm (GB) / Jean-Michel Martin (GB) – 19th / 6th C2
Spice Fiero SE86 – 3.3 liter Ford Cosworth DFV V8, approx. 550 hp. Avon tires. Weight 750 kg. Aluminium monocoque, chassisnr. Spice SE96 #001

  • STARTER (handbuilt resin)
    • Overall rating: 3 STARS | Quality details: 4 STARS | Estimated value: 3 STARS

1986 Kyalami 500 km, Lamborghini Countach QVX. British Lamborghini distributor Portman requested Spice Engineering to build a Group C car with the engine of a Lamborghini Countach QV. Gordon Spice used the chassis of a Tiga and put the heavy V12 in. The car was supposed to make its debut in 1985 but got delayed every time. In the end, it only raced once during a non-championship race at Kyalami in 1986. The 500 km event consisted of two heats of 250 km each. Tiff Needell finished 7th and 5th and was 5th in aggregate. Gordon Spice started building cars under his own name already before the Lambo hit the track.
#22 Tiff Meedeel (GB) – 5th
Unipart Supreme Lamborghini Countach QVX – 5.7 liter Lamborghini V12, approx. 650 hp. Goodyear tires. Weight 900 kg. Aluminium monocoque, chassisnr. SL8501 (Tiga / Spice Engineering)

  • FABBRI Lamborghini story #18 (diecast)
    • Overall rating: 2 STARS | Quality details: 2 STARS | Estimated value: 2 STARS

1986 IMSA Portland, BMW GTP. BMW had been succesful in USA with their touring cars and in Formula 1 with their turbo engines. The Germans decided to combine and bought two March chassis which they equiped with a 2-liter version of their 4 cylinder F1 turbo engine. The cars were powerful (upto 1000 bhp in qualifying) but hard to drive and not very reliable. Davy Jones and John Andretti managed a win at Watkins Glen. The best result of #19, driven by John Watson and David Hobbs was 4th at Portland. They could have won the race, but were delayed by a problem with the seat belts during the driver change.
#19 John Watson (GB) / David Hobbs (GB) – 4th
BMW GTP – 2.0 liter BMW M12/14 straight-4 turbo, approx. 800 hp. Goodyear tires. Weight 910 kg. Aluminum monocoque, chassisnr. March 86G #02

  • SPARK S2571 (resin)
    • Overall rating: 4 STARS | Quality details: 4 STARS | Estimated value: 4 STARS

1987

1987 Nürburgring Supersprint, Sauber C9. The Sauber team was supported by Mercedes for the second year. In the world championship it raced in Kouros livery, in the German Super Cup the cars that were entered by the unknown Formel Rennsportclub from Switzerland, wore the colors of Michelin. Jean Louis Schlesser won the last race of the season at the short Nürburgring in front of Hans Stuck’s Porsche en Mike Thackwell in the 2nd Sauber.
#61 Jean-Louis Schlesser (F) – 1st
Formel Rennsportclub Sauber C9 – 5.0 liter Mercedes M119 HL V8 twin-turbo, approx. 650 hp. Goodyear tires. Weight 905 kg. Aluminium monocoque, chassisnr. C9/87-01

  • MINICHAMPS MC 432 871061 (diecast)
    • Overall rating: 4 STARS | Quality details: 4 STARS | Estimated value: 3 STARS

1987 Le Mans 24h, Sauber C9. Sauber was back at Le Mans with the support of Mercedes for the second year. Last year the Kouros Mercedes’ had not much luck and wouldn’t this year. A puncture caused so much damage that they decided to retire the car. From the other car, the transmission failed.
#61 Henri Pescarolo (F) / Mike Thackwell (NZ) / Hideki Okada (J) – DNF
Kouros Sauber C9 – 5.0 liter Mercedes M119 HL V8 twin-turbo, approx. 650 hp. Goodyear tires. Weight 905 kg. Aluminium monocoque, chassisnr. C9/87-01

  • MAX MODELS 1007 (diecast)
    • Overall rating: 4 STARS | Quality details: 3 STARS | Estimated value: 3 STARS

1987 Le Mans 24h, Ecosse C286. Ecurie Ecosse developed the Ecosse C2 car and it proved to be a successful little car. The C284, C285 and C286 all competed in the C2 category. The rules set wasn’t much different form the C1 except the minimum weight was lower and the maximum fuel consumption allowed was lower. Two C286’s were entered in the 1987 Le Mans 24h, the #101 retired and this #102 finished 8th overall and 2nd in C2.
#102 Ray Mallock (GB) / Marc Duez (B) /David Leslie (GB) – 8yh / 2nd C2
Ecurie Ecosse 287C – 3.3 liter Ford Cosworth DFV V8, approx. 550 hp. Avon tires. Weight 750 kg. Aluminium monocoque, chassisnr. Ecosse C286 #004

  • SPARK S8227 (resin)
    • Overall rating: 4 STARS | Quality details: 4 STARS | Estimated value: 4 STARS

1987 Le Mans 24h, Fiero SE86C. Group C1 was dominated by Porsche, Mercedes and Jaguar were coming, but couldn’t change this yet. Group C2 was the domain of the small chassis builders: Gordon Spice was very successful with his Cosworth powered Spice Fiero winning the C2 category at Le Mans and finishing 6th overall.
#111 Gordon Spice (GB) / Phillippe de Hennig (F) / Fermin Velez (ES) – 6th / 1st C2
Spice Engineering Fiero SE86C – 3.3 liter Ford Cosworth DFV V8, approx. 550 hp. Avon tires. Weight 750 kg. Aluminium monocoque, chassisnr. SE86C #001

  • SPARK S3588 (resin)
    • Overall rating: 4 STARS | Quality details: 4 STARS | Estimated value: 4 STARS

1987 Le Mans 24h, Argo JM19B. Martin Schanche is multiple European rallycross champion. He is popular because of his aggressive and very spectacular driving style. Most of his career, Martin drove Ford products: Escort Mk II RS 1800, Escort Mk3 XR3i turbo 4×4 and the famous RS200. His Argo is powered by a Zakspeed Ford turbo engine that is capable of 1000 hp, but that is useless in the C2 category because of the strict fuel limit so it’s detuned to 550 hp. Also reliability is often an issue, but not this year at Le Mans, Schanche crashed in the 6th lap …
#117 Martin Schanche (NOR) / Will Hoy (GB) / Robin Smith( GB) – DNF
Lucky Strike Schanche Argo JM19B – 1.8 liter Zakspeed straight-4 turbo, approx. 550 hp. Goodyear tires. Weight 750 kg. Steel monocoque, chassisnr. #116

  • SPARK S7320 (resin)
  • Overall rating: 4 STARS | Quality details: 4 STARS | Estimated value: 4 STARS

1987 Le Mans 24h, Argo JM19. Argo Racing Cars is a British racing constructor founded by Swiss designer Jo Marquart and British engineer Nick Jordan. At first they constructed cars for Formula 3, Super Vee and Atlantic. When the prototype category gained interest they switched to Group C and IMSA GTP cars. Their chassis could handle several engine suppliers. This Dahm entered Argo was equipped with a Porsche flat-6 turbo engine and was entered in Group C2.
#200 Peter Fritsch (D) / Teddy Pilette (B) / Jean-Paul Libert (B) – DNF
Dahm Racing Argo JM19 – 3.2 liter Porsche 930 flat-6 twin turbo, approx. 600 hp. Goodyear tires. Weight 750 kg. Aluminium monocoque, chassisnr. #110

  • SPARK S7321 (resin)
    • Overall rating: 4 STARS | Quality details: 4 STARS | Estimated value: 3 STARS

1988

1988 Le Mans 24h, Sauber C9. The powerful Saubers were so quick on the long straights in combination with the downforce they generated that the Michelin tires collapsed. A near accident in qualifying made Mercedes decide not to start te race. The #61T was the spare car that has not been used at all. In 1989 the Sauber would reach 400 km/h in qualifying, something that WM already managed this year with a car built for that purpose.
#61(T) Jochen Mass (D) / Mauro Baldi (I) / James Weaver (GB) – DNS
AEG Sauber C9/88 – 5.0 liter Mercedes M119 HL V8 twin-turbo, approx. 700 hp. Goodyear tires. Weight 905 kg. Aluminium monocoque, chassisnr. C9/87-02

  • #61 MAX MODELS 1007 (diecast)
    • Overall rating: 4 STARS | Quality details: 3 STARS | Estimated value: 3 STARS
  • #61T HPI 8065 (diecast)
    • Overall rating: 5 STARS | Quality details: 5 STARS | Estimated value: 4 STARS

1988 Le Mans 24h, WM P87. The small WM team brought two cars to Le Mans. A new P88 that reached over 250 mph on the Mulsanne Straight and this P87. The P87 had an additional front wing for more downforce and a somewhat larger engine, which made it 7 seconds faster in qualifying than the #51 sister car. Unfortunately the gearbox broke down after only 22 laps.
#52 Pascal Pressiot (F) / Jean-Daniël Raulet (F) – DNF
WM Secateva WM P87 – 3.0 liter Peugeot PRV V6 twin-turbo, approx. 750 hp. Michelin tires. Weight 900 kg. Aluminium monocoque, chassisnr. P87 #01

  • BIZARRE BZ245 (resin)
    • Overall rating: 5 STARS | Quality details: 4 STARS | Estimated value: 4 STARS

1988 Le Mans 24h, WM P88. This is the “Project 400”. The first racing car to exceed 400 kmh / 250 mph at Le Mans. Roger Dorchy was the first who managed this in practice. Thanks to the 800 bhp Peugeot engine, special narrow Michelin tires and a very flat rear wing. Did it manage pole position? No, the lap times were not well but in a straight line, it was blistering fast. In the race the car retired early with overheating problems, probably because not many air ducts were made in the slick body work.
#51 Claude Haldi (CH) / Philippe Wambergue (F) / Roger Dorchy (F) – DNF
WM Secateva WM P88 – 2.9 liter Peugeot PRV V6 twin-turbo, approx. 800 hp. Michelin tires. Weight 900 kg. Aluminium monocoque, chassisnr. P88 #01

  • BIZARRE BZ061 (resin)
    • Overall rating: 5 STARS | Quality details: 4 STARS | Estimated value: 4 STARS

1989

Sauber was supported by Mercedes, and had become a force to reckon. Then the Saubers turned Silver and became officially Mercedes-Benz. The Silvern Arrows became the next challenger of Porsche and Jaguar.

The Mercedes-Benz group C cars can be found in #055 Silver Arrows

1989 Le Mans 24h, Spice SE89C. Gordon Spice entered this bright yellow SE89C in C1, which he drove himself with Ray Bellm and American female driver Lyn St.James. Unfortunately, the engine seized. The same happened to the sister car with #22. Three older Spice cars drove in C2 and finished 2nd, 3rd and 4th in class.
#21 Gordon Spice (GB) / Ray Bellm (GB) / Lynn St.James (USA) – DNF
Spice SE89C – 3.5 liter Ford Cosworth DFZ V8, approximately. 600 hp. Goodyear tires. Weight 850 kg. Aluminium monocoque, chassisnr. Spice SE89 #004

  • SPARK S6805 (resin)
    • Overall rating: 4 STARS | Quality details: 4 STARS | Estimated value: 4 STARS

1989 Le Mans 24h, Aston Martin AMR1. This beautiful Aston Martin made its debut at Le Mans in 1989. In the same year Ford (which owned Aston Martin) also bought Jaguar. The TWR-Jaguars already were successful, so the Aston Martin project ended in its first season. This car finished a credible 11th, while its teammate #19 retired.
#18 Brian Redman (GB) / Michael Roe (GB) / Costas Los (GR) – 11th / 9th Group C1
Ecosse Aston Martin AMR1 – 6.3 liter Callaway RDP87 V8 90º, approx. 700 hp. Goodyear tires. Weight 910 kg. Carbon Fibre monocoque, chassisnr. Courtaulds #02

  • STARTER T189 (resin)
    • Overall rating: 4 STARS | Quality details: 4 STARS | Estimated value: 4 STARS

1989 Supercup Norisring, Maurer C87-BMW. Walter Maurer is a German artist who was involved in the production of the BMW Art cars. Except for the M1 which was painted by Warhol by hand, the paint jobs on the other Art Cars were done by Walter Maurer! He is also an amateur driver who had his own group C car based on a Lotec chassis and of course painted in Art Car style, inspired by Roy Lichtenstein.
#60 Walter Maurer (D) – 12th / 3rd C2
Maurer C87 – 2.0 liter BMW M12 straight-4 turbo, approximately. 700 hp in race trim. Dunlop tires. Weight 800 kg. Aluminium monocoque #001 (Lotec)

  • SPARK Raceland Gold RS1270 #179 / 350 pcs (resin)
    • Overall rating: 5 STARS | Quality details: 5 STARS | Estimated value: 4 STARS

3.5 liter Group C

Group C was extremely popular. At least 6 car manufacturers participated and many privateer teams, 300.000 spectators came to Le Mans for the big event. In Formula 1 only 2 manufacturers were present (Ferrari and Renault). Bernie Ecclestone wanted to turn it around and convinced the FIA to change the Group C rules. No longer a limit on fuel consumption, but only normally aspirated 3.5 liter engines, just as in Formula 1. Existing turbo cars were restricted in power and received penalty weight.That was the beginning of the end. Mazda would score a surprise win with their rotary engine, which was banned the following year and in 1994 the show was over.

Peugeot and Toyota were among the first to build a 3.5 liter that would manage 24 hours. Mazda surprised all the favorites in 1991.

1991 Le Mans 24h, Spice SE90C. The Dutch Euro Racing entered Spice’s qualified 15th fastest, 7 seconds behind the two leading Peugeot 905s. But because it was a class 1 Group C car (normally aspirated 3.5 liter) it was allowed to start the race from the second row. Mercedes and Jaguar used the older Group C cars that were in class 2 and had to start behind the 3.5 liters.
#21 Charles Zwolsman (NL) / Cor Euser (NL) / Tim Harvey (GB) – DNF
Euro Racing Spice SE90C – 3.5 liter Ford Cosworth DFZ V8, approximately. 600 hp. Goodyear tires. Weight 800 kg. Aluminium monocoque, chassisnr. Spice SE89 #022

  • SPARK S6822 (resin)
    • Overall rating: 4 STARS | Quality details: 4STARS | Estimated value: 4 STARS

1992 Le Mans 24h, Spice SE90C. Belgian Bernard de Dryver entered a Spice SE90 for the 1992 Le Mans. He was supposed to drive himself but didn’t start. The drivers that did, failed to finish because the ignition failed.
#21 Luigi Taverna (I) / Alessandro Gini (I) / John Sheldon (GB) – DNF
Spice SE90C – 3.5 liter Ford Cosworth DFZ V8, approximately. 600 hp. Goodyear tires. Weight 800 kg. Aluminium monocoque, chassisnr. Spice SE89 #011

  • SPARK S6826 (resin)
    • Overall rating: 4 STARS | Quality details: 4 STARS | Estimated value: 4 STARS

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