#062 Gitanes & Gauloises

by modelM43in liverieson Posted on

Published September 20, 2024 | Last update June 9, 2026 | 19 models online

Disclaimer: I do not smoke and surely do not want to promote tobacco. But neither do I ignore the fact that the tobacco industry has been quite good for motorsport in the past. So, I show the cars and models here as they were; with tobacco advertising.

Gitanes and Gauloises were part of the French state-owned tobacco company SEITA. It those years, Gitanes was often seen on French racing cars such as the Le Mans Matra-Simcas and the Ligier Formula 1 team. Gauloises succeeded Gitanes as sponsor in Formula 1 and was seen on Dakar cars also. The French government banned tobacco advertising long time ago and also sold their stake in SEITA.

Gitanes @ Le Mans

1973 Le Mans 24h, Lola T282
The new Lola T282, with its air box and rear wing was much more sophisticated than the basic T280. The Cosworth powered car could not match the speed of the factory Ferrari’s and Matra’s and had to retire.
Equipe Gitanes #7: Reine Wisell (S) / Jean-Louis Lafosse (F) / Hughes de Fierlant (B)
Results: Start-grid 10th / time 3:49.200 / race DNF clutch – 165 laps
Lola T282 – Prototypes <3L: Powered by 3.0 liter Ford Cosworth DFV V8 90º, approx. 445 hp. Goodyear tires. Weight 660 kg. Aluminum monocoque, chassisnr. #HU06.

  • BIZARRE BZ143 (resin)
    • Overall rating: 4 STARS | Quality details: 4 STARS | Estimated value: 4 STARS
    • Also appears in #117 Classic Lola

1974 Le Mans 24h Matra-Simca 670B & 670C
Matra competed in sportscars for a few years, but always in the shadow of the 5-liter Porsche 917 and Ferrari 512. When these cars disappeared the 3-liter Matra (with its howling 12-cylinder F1 engine) won Le Mans three times in a row. All times with Henri Pescarolo who had Gérard Larrousse as a teammate the last two wins. 1974 Was their last year and the first with Gitanes sponsorship.
Equipe Gitanes #7: Henri Pescarolo (F) / Gérard Larrousse (F)
Results: Start-grid 1st / time 3:35.800 / race 1st – 338 laps

Equipe Gitanes #8: Bob Wollek (F) / Jean-Pierre Jaussaud (F) / Jose Dolhem (F)
Results: Start-grid 5th / time 3:41.600 / race DNF / engine – 120 laps
Matra-Simca 670B – Group 6 <3L: Powered by 3.0 liter Matra MS73 V12 60º, approx. 460 hp. Goodyear tires. Weight 680 kg. Aluminum monocoque, chassisnrs. 670B-06 (#7) and 670B-02 (#8)

  • IXO LMC 013 (#7) & LMC 014 (#8) (diecast)
    • Overall rating: 3 STARS | Quality details: 3 STARS | Estimated value: 2 STARS
    • Only appears in this collection

1975 Le Mans 24h, Ligier JS2
In 1974 Ligier drove with the JS2 GT-car in the prototype class. With its less powerful and unreliable Maserati engine it was no potential winner. But in 1975 when competition was weak and the Ligier used a Cosworth V8 Formula 1 engine, they made it to second place.
Automobiles Ligier-Gitanes #5: Jean-Louis Lafosse (F) / Guy Chasseuil (F)
Results: Start-grid 3rd / time 3:53.400 / race 2nd – 336 laps
Ligier JS2 – Group 6 <3L: Powered by 3.0 liter Ford Cosworth DFV V8 90º, approx. 445 hp. Michelin tires. Weight 770 kg. Steel space frame, chassisnr. #unknown

  • SPARK S0550 (resin)
    • Overall rating: 4 STARS | Quality details: 4 STARS | Estimated value: 4 STARS
    • Also appears in #097 Classic GT 1970s

1976 Le Mans 24h, BMW 3.5 CSL
The new group 5 rules were a perfect match for Porsche. They developed the 935 out of the 911 turbo (930) streetcar. Their main competitor were the BMW CSL’s. The group 5 versions used the powerful 24 valve engine but were not as strong as the turbo charged Porsches.
BMW Motorsport GmbH / Alpina #42: Sam Posey (USA) / Harald Grohs (D) /Hughes de Fierlant (B)
Results: Start-grid 18th / time 4:04.400 / race 10th – 300 laps / 4th Group 5
BMW 3.5 CSL (E9) – Group 5: Powered by 3.5 liter BMW M49/3 straight-6, approx. 470 hp. Goodyear tires. Weight 1100 kg. Steel monocoque, chassisnr. #2275988

  • SPARK S1562 (resin)
    • Overall rating: 4 STARS | Quality details: 4 STARS | Estimated value: 4 STARS
    • Also appears in #094 BMW E9 CSL

1977 Le Mans, Mirage-Renault GR8
Not only 3 factory cars and a factory supported Alpine, also two Mirages were powered by the Renault V6 turbo engine. One failed to finish but the #10 car got on the podium as the only Renault powered prototype but it was 11 laps behind the winning Porsche.
Grand Touring Cars #10: Vern Schuppan (NZ) / Jean Pierre Jarier (F)
Results: Start-grid 12th / time 3:47.400 / race 2nd – 332 laps
Mirage GR8 – Group 6 <3L: Powered by 2.0 liter Renault Gordini V6 60º twin turbo, approx. 550 hp. Goodyear tires. Weight 730 kg. Aluminium monocoque, chassisnr. #802

  • SPARK STME07 (resin)
    • Overall rating: 4 STARS | Quality details: 3 STARS | Estimated value: 3 STARS
    • Also appears in #062 Gitanes & Gauloises

1978 Le Mans 24h, Mirage-Renault M9
Just as in the previous year, Renault provided Mirage with engines. Unfortunately, it was the engine that blew up on the #11 Mirage. The #10 car did finish the race, but way back in 10th place. The Mirage M9’s had a long-tail bodywork which made them look quite differently from last year’s car which made them approximately 1 second per lap quicker however the chassis were quite some years old.
Grand Touring Cars #11: Michel Leclère (F) / Sam Posey (USA) / Vern Schuppan (NZ) DNS
Results: Start-grid 12th / time 3:48.300 / race DNF electrics – 33 laps
Mirage M9 – Group 6 <3L: Powered by 2.0 liter Renault Gordini V6 60º twin turbo, approx. 550 hp. aluminum monocoque, chassisnr. #801

  • SPARK S0312 (resin)
    • Overall rating: 5 STARS | Quality details: 5 STARS | Estimated value: 4 STARS
    • Also appears in #062 Gitanes & Gauloises

Gitanes and Gauloises Touring cars & GT

1974 European Touring Car Championship, BMW 3.0 CSL
Belgian team Précision Liegeoise competed in the 1974 European Championship races with their pale blue BMW. Alain Peltier and Jean-Louis Lafosse won twice using #1. At Salzburgring using #9, Peltier drove together with Hughes de Fierlant. The #12 is from the race at Zandvoort. Peltier finished 2nd in the championship behind Hans Heyer who drove the division 1 Zakspeed Ford Escort.
Précision Liegeoise #9: Alain Peltier (B) / Hughes de Fierlant (B)
Results Salzburgring 4h: Start-grid 8th / time1:20.980 / race 3rd – 169 laps
BMW 3.0 CSL (E9) – Touring Group 2 >3L: Powered by 3.5 liter BMW M30B35 straight-6, approx. 340 hp. Dunlop tires. Weight 1050 kg.Steel monocoque, chassisnr. #2275998

  • DETAIL CARS 436 (diecast)
    • Overall rating: 2 STARS | Quality details: 2 STARS | Estimated value: 3 STARS
    • Also appears in #094 BMW E9 CSL

1974 Belgian Championship ‘Bekers van België’ Zolder, BMW 3.0 CSL
Belgian team Précision Liegeoise competed in the 1974 European Championship races with their blue BMW, but also the local Belgian touring car championship where Peltier battled team mate De Fierlant and Luigi driver Xhenceval.
Précision Liegeoise #67: Alain Peltier (B)
Results: Start-grid 1st / time 1:39.300 / race 1st – 12 laps
BMW 3.0 CSL (E9) – 3.5 liter BMW M30B35 straight-6, approx. 340 hp. Dunlop tires. Weight 1050 kg.Steel monocoque, chassisnr. #2275998

  • SPARK Endurance-Info #012 / 333 pcs (resin)
    • Overall rating: 5 STARS | Quality details: 5 STARS | Estimated value: 5 STARS
    • Also appears in #094 BMW E9 CSL

1975 Spa-Francorchamps 24h, BMW 3.0 CSi
The Spa 24-hour race was again part of the Trophée de l’Avenir. The rule set was a mix of standard Group 1 and improved Group 2. Cars were heavier and less powerful than before and only some BMW 3.0 CSi (not the light weight CSL which had no Group 1 homologation), Ford Capri 3.0S and Opel Commodore GS/E matched these new rules. The #2 Luigi BMW took the overall win, this #1 car didn’t finish the race.
Luigi #2: Alain Peltier (B) / Marc Demol (B) / Pierre Dieudonné (B)
Results: Start-grid 2nd / time 4:24,800 / race DNF accident
BMW 3.0 CSi – Touring Group 1 “Francorchamps”: Powered by 3.0 liter BMW M30B30 straight-6, approx. 250 hp. Dunlop tires. Weight 1200 kg. Steel monocoque, chassinr. BMW E9 #unknown.

  • SPARK SB 638 #152 / 400 pcs (resin)
    • Overall rating: 5 STARS | Quality details: 5 STARS | Estimated value: 4 STARS
    • Also appears in #094 BMW E9 CSL

1980 Spa-Francorchamps 24h, Ford Capri 3.0S
This year’s Spa 24h saw a fine battle between Ford and BMW. Eddy Joossen in the BMW looked to go for the win, but a failing wheel bearing and puncture threw him back. The Martin brothers in a Bastos Capri won. This Team Willeme car was very fast, qualifying in 2nd but finished only 11th.
Team Willems #27: Jean-Pierre Jaussaud (F) / Jean-Luc Thérier (F)
Results: Start-grid 2nd / time 2:56,888 / race 11th – 402 laps
Ford Capri 3.0S – Group 1B >2.5L: Powered by 3.0 liter Ford Weslake V6 60º, approx. 210 hp. Dunlop tires. Weight 1150 kg. Steel monocoque, chassisnr. unknown.

  • PREMIUM-X PR0010 (resin)
    • Overall rating: 3 STARS | Quality details: 3 STARS | Estimated value: 3 STARS
    • Also appears in #064 Ford touring

1980 DRM Zolder, Porsche 935K3
The K3 version of the Porsche 935 was a fantastic car. Belgian Team Willeme was one of the clients who had used a Kremer K2 before and bought the Le Mans winning K3. Claude Bourgoignie scored a fine 4th place during the season final at Zolder.
Team Willems #16: Claude Bourgoignie (B)
Results: Start-grid 6th / time 1:35,450 / race 4th – 24 laps
Porsche 935 K3 – DRM Group 5: Powered by 3.0 liter Porsche 930/79 – flat-6 turbo, approx. 650 hp. Dunlop tires. Weight 970 kg. Steel monocoque, chassisnr. #930 009 0002

  • QUARTZO Q3032 (diecast)
    • Overall rating: 3 STARS | Quality details: 2 STARS | Estimated value: 3 STARS
    • Only appears in this collection

1982 Spa-Francorchamps 24h, BMW 528i
In 1982 BMW used the 4-door saloon 528i in the European Touring Car Championship. Not really a racing car at first sight, but neither was the competition: Ford Capri 3.0S, Camaro, Opel Monza 3.0E, Mazda RX-7 and Alfetta GTV. TWR got the Jaguar XJS homologated, and it was much faster than the BMW’s but not as reliable. BMW 528i’s took first 6 places, now that is reliability. The Bastos BMW won the race. This one with local hero Tassin, F1 driver Jarier and actor Trintignant finished 2nd.
Waterloo Motors #26: Thierry Tassin (B) / Jean-Louis Trintignant (B) /Jean-Pierre Jarier (B)
Results: Start-grid 3rd / time 2:54.940 / race 2nd – 447 laps
BMW 528i (E28) – 2.8 liter BMW M30B28 straight-6, approx. 240 hp. Michelin tires. Weight 1100 kg. Steel monocoque, chassisnr. unknown

  • NEO 45667 (resin)
    • Overall rating: 4 STARS | Quality details: 4 STARS | Estimated value: 4 STARS
    • Also appears in #104 BMW 5- & 6-series

1983 Spa-Francorchamps 24h, BMW 635 CSi
The BMW 635 CSi was the most popular car in the European Touring Car Championship. It showed because no less than 16 BMW 635’s arrived at the start of the 24 hour race and also 3 older 528i’s. With these numbers it doesn’t matter if some break down and retire, which was the case. There are always some that make it to the finish. The Bastos BMW of JUMA Racing won by 8 laps over a similar car of Team Schnitzer. This fast Gitanes BMW qualified 6th but had to retire due to a broken rim early in the race.
Waterloo Motors #25: Dany Snobeck (F) / Alain Cudini (F) / Alain Peltier (B)
Results: Start-grid 5th / time 2:47.410 / race DNF cracked wheel – 6th hour
BMW 635 CSi (E24) – Touring Group A, division 3: Powered by 3.5 liter BMW M30B35 straight-6, approx. 310 hp. Michelin tires. Weight 1185 kg.Steel monocoque, chassisnr. unknown

  • SPARK SB 065 #198 / 500 pcs (resin)
    • Overall rating: 5 STARS | Quality details: 5 STARS | Estimated value: 4 STARS
    • Also appears in #104 BMW 5- & 6-series

1995 BPR Series Jarama 4h , Porsche 911 GT2 evo
The BPR series grew and got more and more professional. Larbre Competition took part with this Porsche GT2 in GT1 specs (more power, improved aerodynamics and braking and wider tyres). They took three second places in the first three races of the season. It raced this season also in FATurbo colors.
Larbre Competition #68: Bob Wollek (F) / Christophe Bouchut (F) / Jean-Pierre Jarier
Results: Start-grid 7th / time 1:34.870 / race 3rd – 143 laps
Porsche 911 GT2 evo (993) – BPR GT1: Powered by 3.6 liter Porsche M64/81 flat-6 twin turbo, approx. 550 hp. Michelin tires. Weight 1150 kg. Steel monocoque, chassisnr. #ZTS393066

  • VITESSE V 065E (diecast)
    • Overall rating: 3 STARS | Quality details: 3 STARS | Estimated value: 3 STARS
    • Only appears in this collection

Gitanes @ Rallye

1980 Tour de Corse, Renault 5 turbo
The small Renault 5 turbo was a competitive rally car in the early 1980s before the powerful AWD group B cars arrived. In the 1980 Tour de Corse, Bruno Saby managed a fine 4th place behind two Porsche 911 and a FIAT 131 Abarth.
Garage Galtier #18: Bruno Saby (F) / Christian Tilber (MC)
Results: 4th / 2nd in class
Renault 5 turbo – Group 4 <2L: Powered by 1.4 liter Renault Gordini 830 straight-4 turbo, approx. 180 hp. Michelin tires. Weight 900 kg. Steel monocoque, chassisnr. unknown

  • SOLIDO 1023 (diecast)
    • Overall rating: 2 STARS | Quality details: 2 STARS | Estimated value: 2 STARS
    • Also appears in #044 Renault & Alpine

1982 Boucles de Spa, Porsche 924 GTS
The 924 GTS was the road-going version of the Group B GTR. It was used for rally’s, such as this one in which racing driver Jacky Ickx participated in the Boucles de Spa. Unfortunately he had to retire after only 4 stages.
Gitanes #4: Jacky Ickx (B) / John Igrec (B)
Results: DNF – 4 stages
Porsche 924 Carrera GTS – Group B: Powered by 2.0 liter Porsche M31.50 straight-4 turbo, approx. 270 hp. Dunlop tires. Weight 1025 kg. Steel monocoque, chassisnr. #unknown

  • IXO RAC367 (diecast)
    • Overall rating: 4 STARS | Quality details: 4 STARS | Estimated value: 3 STARS
    • Also appears in #115 Jacky Ickx /#070 Front-engined Porsches

Gauloises @ Dakar

2000 Paris – Dakar – Cairo, Schlesser Buggy
Racing driver Schlesser switched from Le Mans prototypes to the desert. He developed his 2-wheel drive buggy that is much lighter than the big 4×4’s. In 1999 and 2000 he wins Dakar with this car.
Schlesser #250: Jean Louis Schlesser (F) / Henri Magne (F)
Results: 1st
Schlesser Renault Mégane Buggy – Prototypes DAKAR T1: Powered by 3.0 liter Renault V6, approx. 280 hp. BF Goodrich tires. Weight 1180 kg. Steel space frame, chassisnr. Race Car Dynamics #unknown

  • IXO ALTAYA #unknown (non-tobacco version)
    • Overall rating: 2 STARS | Quality details: 2 STARS | Estimated value: 2 STARS
    • Also appears in 106 Dakar 2000 and beyond

2005 Barcelona – Dakar, DAF CF75 FAV4x4
Jan de Rooy drove many Dakars in the 1980’s, winning in 1987 with his mighty DAF TwinTurbo II. After a 13 year break is back, this year together with his son Gerard in the same team. Father and son De Rooy were aiming for a podium in 2005, but were beaten by the Russian Kamaz. Jan finished 6th and Gerard 5th.
Team De Rooy #521: Jan de Rooy (NL) / Davy Colebunders (B) / Clim Smulders (NL)
Results: 6th
DAF CF75 FAV 4×4 – Trucks DAKAR T4: Powered by 12.6 liter DAF XEC straight-6 turbodiesel, 800 hp. BF Goodrich tires. Weight 8500 kg. Steel chassis, chasisisnr. unknown

  • DIAMOND LABEL 62865 non-tobacco dirty version (plastic)
    • Overall rating: 3 STARS | Quality details: 2 STARS | Estimated value: 3 STARS
    • lso appears in 106 Dakar 2000 and beyond

Thanks for visiting 😉

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