ixo- MODELS

Classic

LM1989 – SAUBER – Mercedes C-9

Car #63  1989 Le Mans Winner

In Le Mans Winner blue color carton sleeve

Diecast

Scale 1/43

Condition – Stock as issued

I was able to secure a small quantity of this beautifuly-crafted model that was released by ixo quite a while ago.  I sold out my inventory of this model long ago and couldn’t find any additional quantity until now.   This is a very difficult to find model that retails up to $40.00.

This model represents the race winner car that was driven by: Johen Mass, Stanley Dickens, Manuel Reuter (D,S,D); the team Sauber Mercedes  The racetrack was 8.45 miles; the car covered the distance of 3,269.6 miles with the record average speed of 136.23 mph.

Its teammates Car #61 finished 2^nd, car #62 finished 5^th.

The Sauber C9 (later named the Mercedes-Benz C9) was a Group C prototype race car that replaced Sauber C8 and was a continuation of the partnership between Sauber as a constructor and Mercedes-Benz as an engine builder for the World Sportscar Championship.  The car was introduced in 1987 but the first season was nothing but disappointing.  In next season the sponsor was dropped, the car was renamed Sauber Mercedes and though the company withdrew from 1988 Le Mans due to concerns of their Michelin tires, they secured five wins in the season and finished 2^nd after Jaguar in the championship.  In 1989 the team replaced the black color scheme for its national plain silver scheme.  Besides the color the team upgraded its M117 5.0l turbocharged V8 engine to M119 that had all new aluminium heads instead of steel heads.  In 1989 Sauber Mercedes had won all but one race and won Championship, and its driver Jean-Louis Schlesser took the driver championship.   This was the last season for C9, which was replaced by C11, which was named Mercedes-Benz C11, for 1990 season.  The C11 won 1990 championship but due to the fact that Le Mans 1990 wasn’t a part of the World Sportscar Championship schedule the team didn’t participated in the race.