A double post today.
I didn’t greet yet our newest followers Jovet and Erwin/komenda, so here is now the traditional post dedicated to the newcomers. For you Erwin, it was rather simple as I already have the Porsche 956’s story on hand, while for you Jovet I actually had something else in mind but didn’t have the necessary pictures, so you’ll have to do with the Porsche 962 instead… To both of you, welcome!
A little history
The creation of Group C for 1982 would all of a sudden render the old Group 6 spyders obsolete. Porsche seized the opportunity of re-entering endurance racing with a works team by designing a brand-new car answering the new rules, the 956. This machine, which took over the twin-turbo 2.6-litre flat six tested during the 1981 season by the Porsche 936, was a coupe built around an aluminium monocoque structure. The 956 was carefully designed during 1981 and, by spring of 1982, the first car was ready for testing.
During 1982, Porsche decided to reserve its new car to the factory team, leaving as the only option for privateers willing to race Porsches to modify their old 936, principally by transforming them into coupes, in order to comply with the Group C regulations. Without much opposition, the new 956 proved the car to beat. For 1983, private teams could acquire 956s, and many of them did just that, reinforcing Porsche’s supremacy on endurance racing. During these two initial seasons, no other car seemed able to rival the Stuttgart machines – the Lancia LC2 was faster but extremely fragile, the Ford C100 was disappointing, while Rondeau, an artisan rather than a manufacturer, didn’t have the financial means to oppose Porsche’s onslaught.
By 1984, the Porsche 956 stood virtually alone on the endurance stage. Porsche wasn’t totally satisfied, though. It had initially wanted to compete in IMSA events, but its car couldn’t comply with the American rules. A new machine, the 962, was therefore prepared in order to race both in Group C and in IMSA GTP. Roughly similar in shape but heavily redesigned from its predecessor, the new 962 appeared in time for the beginning of the 1985 season. Most teams kept their still-competitive 956s but, from the Spa 1000 km on, the writing was on the wall for the older model. There, German rising star Stefan Bellof was killed in a crash while driving a 956. Stricter safety regulations in America than in Europe had been the main reason why the 956 hadn’t been allowed to compete by the IMSA. Suddenly the dominating 956 was perceived as a potentially dangerous car, and most teams replaced theirs by 962s as soon as possible, though a few ones soldiered on for some time.
About the models
Model: Porsche 956
Year: 1982
Event: 1982 Le Mans 24 Hours, driven by Jacky Ickx and Derek Bell (finished 1st overall)
Maker: Ixo
Scale: 1/43
Distributed by: Altaya as no.52 of its Les Plus Belles Voitures des 24 Heures du Mans press series
Acquired: brand new, in October 2005, in Souillac, France
Some sort of a ghost car, which I’ve noted on separate listings as present in my collection and taken on pictures, but seems to be nowhere. Most probably several mistakes summed up: I indeed bought this car but I remember bringing it back to the shop after I noticed a slight problem with the decoration – unfortunately I have never been able to get a replacement one. As with other Ixo 956s it isn’t bad, but definitely average. Furthermore you have to do without the “Rothmans” markings. My rating would be 12/20.
Model: Porsche 956
Year: 1983
Event: 1983 Le Mans 24 Hours, driven by Jonathan Palmer, Jan Lammers and Richard Lloyd (finished 8th overall)
Maker: Ixo
Scale: 1/43
Distributed by: Altaya as no.4 of its Les Monstres Sacrés de l'Endurance press series
Acquired: brand new, in April 2007, in Souillac, France
At least this is one model which the “dirt” applied by Ixo has benefited. Well worth 13/20.
Model: Porsche 956 B
Year: 1984
Event: 1984 Le Mans 24 Hours, driven by Henri Pescarolo and Klaus Ludwig (finished 1st overall)
Maker: Ixo
Scale: 1/43
Distributed by: Altaya as no.7 of its Les Plus Belles Voitures des 24 Heures du Mans press series
Acquired: brand new, in December 2004, in Souillac, France
Pescarolo’s final victory at Le Mans was with this car, and it was also the very last time the race was won by a car shared by only two pilots. The headlights look like four plastic disks painted in grey, most probably because that’s exactly what they are. This model deserves a 12/20.
I didn’t greet yet our newest followers Jovet and Erwin/komenda, so here is now the traditional post dedicated to the newcomers. For you Erwin, it was rather simple as I already have the Porsche 956’s story on hand, while for you Jovet I actually had something else in mind but didn’t have the necessary pictures, so you’ll have to do with the Porsche 962 instead… To both of you, welcome!
A little history
The creation of Group C for 1982 would all of a sudden render the old Group 6 spyders obsolete. Porsche seized the opportunity of re-entering endurance racing with a works team by designing a brand-new car answering the new rules, the 956. This machine, which took over the twin-turbo 2.6-litre flat six tested during the 1981 season by the Porsche 936, was a coupe built around an aluminium monocoque structure. The 956 was carefully designed during 1981 and, by spring of 1982, the first car was ready for testing.
During 1982, Porsche decided to reserve its new car to the factory team, leaving as the only option for privateers willing to race Porsches to modify their old 936, principally by transforming them into coupes, in order to comply with the Group C regulations. Without much opposition, the new 956 proved the car to beat. For 1983, private teams could acquire 956s, and many of them did just that, reinforcing Porsche’s supremacy on endurance racing. During these two initial seasons, no other car seemed able to rival the Stuttgart machines – the Lancia LC2 was faster but extremely fragile, the Ford C100 was disappointing, while Rondeau, an artisan rather than a manufacturer, didn’t have the financial means to oppose Porsche’s onslaught.
By 1984, the Porsche 956 stood virtually alone on the endurance stage. Porsche wasn’t totally satisfied, though. It had initially wanted to compete in IMSA events, but its car couldn’t comply with the American rules. A new machine, the 962, was therefore prepared in order to race both in Group C and in IMSA GTP. Roughly similar in shape but heavily redesigned from its predecessor, the new 962 appeared in time for the beginning of the 1985 season. Most teams kept their still-competitive 956s but, from the Spa 1000 km on, the writing was on the wall for the older model. There, German rising star Stefan Bellof was killed in a crash while driving a 956. Stricter safety regulations in America than in Europe had been the main reason why the 956 hadn’t been allowed to compete by the IMSA. Suddenly the dominating 956 was perceived as a potentially dangerous car, and most teams replaced theirs by 962s as soon as possible, though a few ones soldiered on for some time.
About the models
Model: Porsche 956
Year: 1982
Event: 1982 Le Mans 24 Hours, driven by Jacky Ickx and Derek Bell (finished 1st overall)
Maker: Ixo
Scale: 1/43
Distributed by: Altaya as no.52 of its Les Plus Belles Voitures des 24 Heures du Mans press series
Acquired: brand new, in October 2005, in Souillac, France
Some sort of a ghost car, which I’ve noted on separate listings as present in my collection and taken on pictures, but seems to be nowhere. Most probably several mistakes summed up: I indeed bought this car but I remember bringing it back to the shop after I noticed a slight problem with the decoration – unfortunately I have never been able to get a replacement one. As with other Ixo 956s it isn’t bad, but definitely average. Furthermore you have to do without the “Rothmans” markings. My rating would be 12/20.
Model: Porsche 956
Year: 1983
Event: 1983 Le Mans 24 Hours, driven by Jonathan Palmer, Jan Lammers and Richard Lloyd (finished 8th overall)
Maker: Ixo
Scale: 1/43
Distributed by: Altaya as no.4 of its Les Monstres Sacrés de l'Endurance press series
Acquired: brand new, in April 2007, in Souillac, France
At least this is one model which the “dirt” applied by Ixo has benefited. Well worth 13/20.
Model: Porsche 956 B
Year: 1984
Event: 1984 Le Mans 24 Hours, driven by Henri Pescarolo and Klaus Ludwig (finished 1st overall)
Maker: Ixo
Scale: 1/43
Distributed by: Altaya as no.7 of its Les Plus Belles Voitures des 24 Heures du Mans press series
Acquired: brand new, in December 2004, in Souillac, France
Pescarolo’s final victory at Le Mans was with this car, and it was also the very last time the race was won by a car shared by only two pilots. The headlights look like four plastic disks painted in grey, most probably because that’s exactly what they are. This model deserves a 12/20.
2 comments:
The 956/962 is indeed a legend in LeMans in the 80's. Maybe to a lesser degree if viewed vis-a-vis the mighty 917 :-)
I love this car as well...actually have the Rothmans by PMA :-)
Wonderful Post!
Yes it's amazing (actually that's not the right term, but I didn't find anything better) how the 917 is such a legend - the 956/962 was all domineering for no less than ten years, while the career of the 917 lasted for only two and a half years (not including obviously the spyder version which ran in Canam and Interseries, and the two final outings of the Malardeau car during 1981). That's not different with myself, though the 956/962, which was competing during the time I grew up, is obviously as special to me as the 917 is. Thanks again for your nice comments Erwin!
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