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Topic starter
31/12/2021 11:44 am
1957 24 Hours of Le Mans
The 1957 24 Hours of Le Mans was the 25th running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Grand Prix of Endurance, and took place on 22 and 23 June 1957.
Some 250,000 spectators had gathered for Europe's classic sports car race, around an 8.38-mile course. The prospect of an exciting duel between Ferrari, Maserati, Jaguar, Aston Martin and Porsche was enough to draw large crowds to the 24 Hours race.
Never before had a single nation swept the board so completely as Britain did in 1957. The great success of the Jaguars in taking the first through four and sixth places became all the more significant when it is considered that all of the cars were privately entered (albeit with some factory support), and matched against the works entries of some of the greatest sport car manufacturers.
As well as being the Ecurie Ecosse team's finest hour, it was also Jaguar's greatest triumph finishing a fine 1-2-3-4-6.Third home was the local Equipe Los Amigos Jaguar of Lucas/”Mary” who were two laps adrift. After delays in the morning, Rousselle/Frère brought their Equipe Nationale Belge Jaguar home in fourth, 17 laps behind the winners. The Lewis-Evans Ferrari held on to fifth place ahead of the hard-charging Hamilton Jaguar just one lap behind. Hamilton's D-Type was the only one to hit serious trouble when he and Gregory had lost two hours due to electrical and exhaust problems the night before. The winning Jaguar No.3 was driven by Ron Flockhart and Ivor Bueb.
1957 Le Mans Winning Ecurre Ecosse Jaguar D-Type #3 as driven by Ron Flockhart and Ivor Bueb.
This is a Altaya part works model.
Another winner from Starter.
And IXO.
In 2nd place came the Ecurre Ecosse Jaguar D-Type #15 of Ninian Sanderson and Jean "Mary" Brussin. This is a Spark model.
In 3rd place came the Equipe Los Amigos Jaguar D-Type #17 of Jean Lucas and Freddy Russell. This is a Spark model.
Also by Provence Moulage.
In 4th place came the Equipe Nationale Belge Jaguar D-Type #16 of Paul Frere and John "Jock" Lawrence. This is an Altaya model.
In 5th place came the Scuderia Ferrari Ferrari 500 TRC #18 of Stuart Lewis-Evans and Martino Severi. This is a BBR model.
In 6th place was a Duncan Hamilton Private Entry Jaguar D-Type #4 driven by 1956 winner Duncan Hamilton and Masten Gregory. This is a Spark model.
I have just reached the maximum attachments per post. A first.
Topic starter
31/12/2021 4:29 pm
Ecurie Ecosse Transporter
Ecurie Ecosse (French: "Scotland Stable") was a motor racing team from Edinburgh Scotland. The team was founded in November 1951 by Edinburgh businessman and racing driver David Murray and mechanic Wilkie Wilkinson, its most notable achievement was winning both the 1956 and 1957 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The cars are famous but an Ecurie Ecosse Race car transporter has caught the public imagination. This was not used in 1956 and 1957 as it was built in 1959. A vehicle similar to that used by Jaguar for its 1955 Le Mans victory was likely used.
Here is the 1955 Jaguar Le Mans Transporter. (These pictures were from a later date. Note the Ecurie Ecosse Transporter in the one picture.
Here is the Ecurre Ecosse Transporter.
The team was accompanied for races starting in 1959 by a 2-axle double-deck car transporter capable of carrying three cars (one inside and two on top) together with a support crew, and with mobile workshop facilities.
The transporter was designed by Selby Howgate and built by coachbuilders Alexander, of Falkirk, Scotland. Based on a Commer chassis it is powered by a Commer TS3 three-cylinder horizontally-opposed two-stroke diesel engine.
The Le Mans wins captured the public's imagination and British die-cast model manufacturer Corgi brought out a 1/48th scale model in its Corgi Major series, which proved very popular. A number of sets were produced with differing vehicles; for example Gift Set No 16 issued in 1965 included three racing cars in individual boxes; a #151A Lotus X1, a #152S BRM and a #154 Ferrari.
Here is the Corgi Toys version in 1/48 scale.
Several other companies such as SMTS made 1/43 scale copies. Here is the Spark version. It came with or without the 1956 and 1957 winners.
31/12/2021 7:00 pm
Interesting history and nice set of models.
Ed Davis
Inverness, Illinois, USA
Topic starter
01/01/2022 12:00 am
Here is the SMTS SP2 Ecurie Ecosse Team Transporter - in White Metal in 1/43 Scale
01/01/2022 12:14 am
great post David, I'm slowly adding to my LeMans 1/43s, you really encourage me to continue.
01/01/2022 12:19 am
Good to see that the Le Mans series is up and running again David. I won't repeat any you have, but there are a few more interesting entrants. Equipe Nationale Belge also entered a Ferrari, a 290MM wearing No. 11, but it was a DNF. Model by Art Model.
Two other Ferrari 500 TRCs, Nos. 27 and 29, were DNFs (both also by Art).
Colin Chapman had great success in the smaller displacement classes with the Lotus 11. Car No. 62 was 9th overall and 1st in the 1100cc class (Quartzo QLM028).
And Lotus 11 No. 55 was 14th overall and 1st in the 750cc class ((Quartzo QLM025).
As a side note, the 3rd place car, XKD513, crashed in the 1958 race, killing Jean "Mary" Brussin. By 1963 the chassis was reborn as a sports coupe bodied by Michelotti. Matrix modeled this one. The real car has since been restored to its 1957 Le Mans configuration, and the Michellotti coupe installed on another chassis.
Topic starter
01/01/2022 11:16 am
Thanks Harv, a great addition for 1957 Le Mans. Here are a few others.
In 7th place was an Equipe Nationale Belge, Ferrari 500 TRC driven by Lucien Bianchi and Georges Harris. This is by Art Models.
Solido also this this one, strangely with a blue stipe.
In 10th place was an AC Cars, AC Ace #31 driven by Ken Rudd and Peter Bolton. This is a custom model made for Mimodels of France.
In 13th place was a private entry Lotus XI, #42 driven by Bob Walshaw and John Dalton. This one is by Spark.
Topic starter
02/01/2022 11:51 am
I missed the 8th place private entry Porsche from my 1957 Le Mans results earlier.
In 8th place was a E. Hugas Private Entry Porsche 550A Spyder RS #35 driven by E. hugs and Care Godin de Beaufort. This is a Vroom white metal model.
02/01/2022 6:03 pm
Wonderful series you have going here, David - many thanks for you time and efforts on this!
David Green and David Green reacted
Topic starter
20/01/2022 11:26 am
1958 24 Hours of Le Mans
The 1958 24 Hours of Le Mans was the 26th running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Grand Prix of Endurance, and took place on 21 and 22 June 1958, on the Circuit de la Sarthe.
The race was dominated by fifteen hours of rain, three of which were torrential, marking a bad summer solstice. There were thirteen accidents, one killing gentleman-driver Jean-Marie Brussin. It marked the first ever overall win for an American and a Belgian driver and was the third win for the Scuderia Ferrari. The works Testarossas took over the lead in the third hour when, this year, it was the British challenge that ran out of steam.
This was Ferrari's third win, and coincidentally, the 1954 second victory had also been a contest in the rain versus Duncan Hamilton's Jaguar. This time however none of the Jaguars or works Aston Martins finished. Despite the atrocious weather for most of the race, the race distance of winners Gendebien and Hill would still have given them fifth place in the previous year's race.
The No.14 Ferrari 250 TR/58 driven by Olivier Gendebien and Phil Hill was the overall winner.
1st Place. Scuderia Ferrari, Ferrari 250 TR/58 No.14 driven by Olivier Gendebien and Phil Hill
By Starter.
By IXO.
2nd. Private Entry by A.G. Whitehead, Aston Martin DB3S No.5. driven by Peter Whitehead and Graham Whitehead.
By Spark.
3rd. Porsche KG, Porsche 717 RSK No.29 driven by Edgar Barth and Hans Herman.
By Monte Metal SB.
4th. Porsche KG, Porsche 717 RSK No.31 driven by Jean Berha and Paul Frere.
By Jolly Models.
By John Day.
7th. Private Entry by E. Hugus, Ferrari 250 TR No.22 driven by Ed Hugus and Ray 'Ernie' Erickson
By Protego K.
By Ferrari-SBN
I have evidently exceeded the number of images allowed for this post. I will continue at a later time
20/01/2022 12:36 pm
I have the same Ixo 1st place and Spark 2nd place models David. All I can add are two Ferrari 250 TRs by Bang, both DNFs.
No. 19 was entered by Luigi Chinetti's NART team.
No. 17 was entered by F. Tavano.
Topic starter
20/01/2022 5:32 pm
1958 24 Hours of Le Mans continued.
5th. Baron de Beaufort, Porsche 550A No.32 driven by Carel Godin de Beaufort and Herbert Linge
Model by Best of Italy.
6th. Equip Nationale Belge, Ferrari 250 TR No.21 driven by 'Beurlys' (Jean Blaton) and Alain de Changy
Models by Bang of Italy..
More to come. Thank you Harv for adding the two Ferrari 250 TR non-finishers by Bang.
Topic starter
21/01/2022 11:51 am
1958 24 Hours of Le Mans continuing with other participant in the race that year.
8th. AC Cars Limited, AC Ace LM Prototype No.28 driven by Richard 'Dickie' Stoop and Peter Bolton
I'm only aware of one 1/43 version of this sold by Mimodels of Canada in resin.
9th. AC Cars Limited, AC Ace No.27 driven by Herbert Patthey and Georges Burger
Automany of France made a resin kit. I don't have a finished model to show.
10th. Private Entry by J.P.Colas, Porsche 550A no.34 driven by Jean Kerguen and 'Franc' (Jacques Dewez)
Model by Best of Italy.
Jolly Models version.
21/01/2022 6:44 pm
Harv,
So glad I found your post, Thank you. Wonderful history bound up in these little 1/43rd scale bits.
Am impressed with your modeling skills too. Bravo Zulu! 👍
Models = Miracles in miniature = Holding History in ones hand
Cheers and Happy Collecting,
Steve
Tony Perrone reacted
21/01/2022 7:43 pm
@stewil The kudos go to David, Steve. I only tack on a few he doesn't.
Tony Perrone reacted