5 replies to this topic

[zepunishment]

I have recently purchased an exoto model of the Sauber Mercedes C9, as I found both the price and the lure of the car irresistible. The car itself is not one of the three '89 le mans cars, but classed as the 'works prototype' : http://www.exoto.com...;ProductId=1414
I've been looking for more information on this individual car. My guess is that perhaps it was a testbed for the M119 engine? If so, can anyone advise if the chassis was subsequently used at le mans?

[Cam2InfoNeeded]

I'll be interested to see what you find out about your model. I am a bit skeptical about what Exoto claims to be "prototype" models (at least what are supposed to be scale replicas of cars that actual existed). I have their Porsche 917/30 "prototype" which is not correct. They simply just combined parts from their Sunoco and CAM2 models in order to create another version they could sell (amortizing their production costs). Don't get me wrong, their models are tremendous work's of art, but the don't believe everything they say.

Good luck, and enjoy your model.

Edited by Cam2InfoNeeded, 28 June 2010 - 00:40.

[werks prototype]

I have the very same model. Absolutely beautiful. A real solid chunk of metal! I hope you didn't have to pay $800 though.

I have always thought that since it is specifically an 89 prototype, the emphasis is merely upon the rear wing variation? Ie: the model is effectively a generic, unliveried model acting as a base for the prototype modified rear wing?

Meaning, that we may have merely paid for a model of a prototype rear-wing and a slightly modified floor.

I have also tried to find out whether or not the Exoto carbon fibre Williams FW-14B T-car ever turned a wheel in reality. So far I have been unsuccessful.

Anyway one of the many geniuses around here will soon be able to answer your question properly.

Edited by werks prototype, 28 June 2010 - 00:57.

[zepunishment]

Thankyou for both of your replies, I certainly wasn't expecting them so quickly! I admit that I'd be lying if I said that I wasn't the slightest bit sceptical of exoto; as you say the speed record 917 has many errors. I suppose it would be logical to assume that both the engine and rear wing changes for '89 would necessitate just such a prototype, whether it was in plain 'silver arrows' livery as per the model remains to be seen. There is a book which has been published specifically on the C9 entitled 'return of the silver arrows', although as I don't currently have it I couldn't say what mention there is of any prototype chassis.

edit: I was always convinced that the t-car was real, although on reflection it may have been a black and white picture of the cvt car. And $800 no, just managed to break 3 figures in sterling

Edited by zepunishment, 28 June 2010 - 01:12.

[arttidesco]

Given that your model is in silver that colour would suggest that it is a 1989 car when the C9 was already two years old, it is conceivable that one chassis was used as prototype development 'hack' but I suspect 'prototype' in this case refers to the fact that the C9 like the XJR9 and 962 against which it raced were all considered 'prototype' sports cars.

I believe there were 6 Sauber C9 chassis built some of the racing history of which can be seen here at racing sports cars .com :-)

[tinkerwinker]

The question as I see it, is whether it is the prototype of the car once officially designated and launched as a Mercedes backed entry, because when the car ran in the Kouros colours, with Thackwell/Pescarolo at Silverstone in 1987, it was still a private venture from Sauber with some help from Merc.