5 replies to this topic

[Jager]

I received a 1:43 model of the above car this week and upon closer inspection see that it has been modelled with a large hole crudely cut in the rear canopy that was possibly edged with duct tape :



Looking around for pictures of this car, I've also noticed it was modelled the same way by one of the slot car manufacturers. However, I can't find any information about what caused this and whether the team cut out part of the canopy to aid cooling or whether it was damaged by an accident of some sort. In Quentin Spurring's "Le Mans 1960 - 69", all he said about this car was "a range of mechanical setbacks delayed Cortanze and co-driver Vinatier, but they finished eighth".

There are various pictures of the other Alpine A220's at Le Mans, but none appear to have endured the same treatment as the #30 car. The only clear picture of the rear of #30 that I've found looks like it was taken before the start, when clearly the canopy is intact :



Can anyone add any further information as to what happened ?

[Tim Murray]

The report in Autosport mentions screen wiper problems and repairs to the rear lights, but there's nothing about the 'hole'.

[arttidesco]

I'm afraid my French is sub 'O' level but there are a number of photo's of the #30 in question on this link including one showing the damaged/modified rear screen.

[Roger Clark]

The rear bonnet flew off during practice on Les Hunaudières. This may have been the cause.

[Jager]

The rear bonnet flew off during practice on Les Hunaudières. This may have been the cause.

Thanks for the info. From the various pictures though it seems that the car started the actual race with an intact engine cover. Perhaps at some point during the race this cover had to be replaced with the damaged one from practice.

[Roger Clark]

Alpines au Mans by Francois Hurel mentions the practice incident and says: "At half distance it was in 9th but had to stop twice because of ignition problems and also because the rear bonnet bubble split". ("sans parler d'une bulle de capot arriere fendue").