Porsche 911 Carrera RSR Martini 24h Le Mans 1973 - Slotcar Custom

Silver Surfers and Yellow Bird – Three Porsche at the 24 Hrs. Le Mans 1973

Slotcar Porsche 911 RSR Martini Racing Sunauto 24 hrs. Le Mans 1973

Many of the slotcars featured in this block are based on Aurora AFX slot cars from the 1970s. Even if it was no conscious decision, Porsche models appear to be on the majority. Over the years many of the AFX Carrera were modelled to reassemble actual race cars of the period. At first, the main aspects of the transformation mainly consisted of changing the paint and adding decals of the desired livery. Most of the role models came from images of cars that had been racing at the 24 hours Le Mans. A fact that was also not applicable from the start.

Porsche 911 RSR Martini Racing BP Sunauto Le Mans 1973

Only by researching more carefully it became clear that many of the race car icons had been racing in long distance races in that period. But that could also be caused by preference of racing connected with the time we were teen-agers. The Porsche 911 Carrera RSRS #46 and #47 from the 24h Le Mans with the significant wing/spoiler on the rear look intriguing. The question was how to add the side parts of the wing, flare the fenders and modify the front spoiler. 

24h Le Mans 1973- Porsche 911 Carrera RSR

Sometimes it takes a little longer to achieve the desired results. At first paper mock ups helped to establish the shape for the extensions of the rear spoiler. The body had been stripped and cleaned. After that the pieces were cut from polystyrene and mounted to the body. Diluted polystyrene was brushed onto to smooth the connecting areas. After that it was sanding and refilling until it was ready for the first layer of primer. Sanding and priming had to be repeated until the surface was ready to receive the silver paint.

Custom Made Slotcar - 24 Le Mans 1973 - Porsche 911 Carrera RSR

During the research an image of the two Martin Porsche in a garage suggested that the yellow Sonauto Porsche was part of Porsches engagement in Le Mans that year. That brought up the decision to make all three cars. The fact that the #48 Porsche had been one the earlier projects and the decals were still available, speeded up the process. The decals for the Martini #46 and #46 were made to fit the modified AFX body. 

Porsche System Engineering - Porsche 911 Carrera RSR - 24 Le Mans 1973

The fact that it has taken some time and skill to realize the two Martini Porsche make the two cars very special. It seems no one else ever attempted to make these models in h0 (1:64) before. Two 911 of that year raced at the Taiga Florio. #8 with Herbert Muller and Gijs van Lennep would win that year. #9 with Leo Kinnunenand Claude Haldi in the cockpit ended up in 3rd place. Both cars are still on the agenda. Hopefully those will materialize in the near future.

#46 Porsche 911 Carrera RSR Le Mans 1973
Porsche System Engineering Ltd. (D), Gijs van Lennep (NL)/Herbert Müller (CH), Result: 4th

#47 Porsche 911 Carrera RSR Le Mans 1973
Porsche System Engineering Ltd. (D), Reinhold Jöst (D)/Claude Haldi (CH)

#48 Porsche 911 Carrera RSR Le Mans 1973
Porsche System Engineering Ltd.-Sonauto (F), Peter Gregg (USA)/Guy Chasseuil (F), Result: 14th

Porsche System Engineering Ltd.-Sonauto (F)