Monte Carlo
There is no doubt that the Corgi Toys Monte Carlo Rally Gift Set 38 inspired a generation (or several). Stephen Paul Hardy was one of those affected in 1966 and reflects on rallying still being a popular scale models theme.
Ithink most people would agree that of all the motorsports events outside of Formula 1, the most popular are (winter) the Rallye MonteCarlo and (summer) Le Mans. For some of us, the earlier events are the ones that fire our excitement the most. Was it the Mini Cooper S, the Citroën DS, the Ford Cortina, or the Saab 96 that was your favourite rally car of an era? Of course, the list of potentials is a long one and dependent on the era of your particular focus. My personal favourite was the Porsche 911 - specifically from the years 1966 to ’70. A time when, until the early seventies, most rally cars could at least be believed to be (almost) modified versions of the cars we saw on our streets.
Both Monte Carlo and Le Mans have prompted innumerable scale models over the years, and will no doubt continue to do so for evermore. Some new issues from Spark during 2020 caught my eye as standing out from the crowd.
To describe Spark models back catalogue as prolific is a gross understatement. The company’s extensive coverage of motor sport subjects in authentic detail and liveries is legendary - and dangerous. Get hooked and it is but a fraction of a step to fall down that slippery slope of expending your 'must-have' list in multiple directions at once!
Staying selective and focusing on, what for me are the halcyon years of the Monte Carlo, Spark’s coverage (along with contemporary Minis, DSs et al) has recently included five competing Porsche 911 versions. Three from 1966 (#131 G. Klass & R. Wütherich No S6602, #57 R. Buchet & J. 'Jo' Schlesser No S6603, and #50 H. Perrier & P. Du Pasquier No S6604), one from 1967 (#43 A-A. Wihuri & L. Laakso No S6605), and #85 J. Buffum & S.Behr No S6608 from 1969. Between them, they cover Porsche Stuttgart and privately entered cars.
PORSCHE STUTTGART 911S
Although outwardly looking not dissimilar to street version 911s, even from the early days of the 911 model entering competitions, the Porsche works department in Stuttgart was developing the “R” versions based on the base 911T and S models. After a first outing for the 911 at the 1965 Monte Carlo, in conjunction with a pair of 904 Carrera GTS, the factory team ramped up its involvement for 1966. An involvement underpinned by model development research that was sustained until, for a single year, a works team of three 914/6 were entered for the rally in 1971 instead of the 911. The highpoint for the works-entered 911 at the Monte Carlo was between 1968 and 1970. Although 911s continued to compete
in the rally after that, Porsche's works motorsport involvement (and resources) became focused on track events once again, thanks to the mighty 917.
Easily recognised by their red paintwork and Stuttgart number plates, Spark's models of these works cars capture in fine detail the extra equipment added to the cars in the Zuffenhausen workshops - additions such as the assist handles and additional strengthening bars to the tail end, rear screen demist panels, bonnet straps and, of course, additional front lighting.
They supplement back catalogue issues from Spark of other works 911s from the rally - #147 H. Linge & P. Falk from 1965 (No S4020), the 1968-winning #210 V. Elford & D. Stone (S4021), and #6 B.Waldegård & L. Helmér (S4023), also a winner, from 1970.
PRIVATELY ENTERED 911S
Although anything connected with Porsche factory entrants makes my pulse race, it is the middle one of three other Spark 2020 911 Monte releases - Nos S6604, S6605 and S6608 - that captured my heart. Turning to the other two first, they were #50 H. Perrier & P. Du Pasquier (S6604) from 1966, and #85 J. Buffum & S.Behr (S6608) from 1969. It was that third one, a Finnish entered tangerine 911S of 1967, #43 A-A. Wihuri & L. Laakso (S6605), that for me captured the spirit of the era perfectly. Although not as fully equipped as the works cars, there is something about the paint colour and that bank of Hella lights that just looks so good.