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Minichamps 1982 Porsche 956L Lemans Winner #1 Ickx/Bell

This is the auction you porsche model fans have been waiting for, the Minichamps 1982 Porsche 956L, what many would consider the granddaddy of Porsche 956 models. This is a replica of the Porsche 956L as it was raced and won the coveted 24 Hours of Lemans race. This was also the debut year of the Porsche where the three 956s finished the Le Mans race in the top three positions in order of their numbers. This model has been re-released by minichamps in three car sets but this item is truly rare as it was the original Minichamps release of this model. The age is estimated at 10+ years old.
This car was driven by F1 and distance legends Derek Bell and Jackie Ickx, who would later go on to win the World Championship. This model also commemorates the last Le Mans win for Ickx.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacky_Ickx
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Derek_Bell_%28auto_racer%29
There are very few models that minichamps releases with the tobacco livery. This model comes with the Rothmans decals taped to the bottom of the box. I have not seen this done before in my years of collecting and have always had to turn to aftermarket decals. Even many of the other Rothmans Porsche minichamps models I have for sale do not have this option. (one way to tell is if the car says "Racing" it does not come with decals) I will apply Rothmans decals to the model upon request from the winner of this auction. I would have just done it in the first place but was not sure if a collector would appreciate the rarity for minichamps to include the decals with the model. Please read below for more history of the car.
The model and box are in new condition.

Shipping for 1-4 1:43rd models within the U.S. is $4.00. Click Here for International Shipping Rates or for multiple items.

It is very rare for minichamps to release tobacco decals with the model. Refer to the post above for more info.

Derek Bell at 2007 Silverstone Classic

Image from www.racingsportscars.com

History of the Porsche 956 The 956 was designed to meet the 1982 FISA requirements for Le Mans which placed a limitation on fuel economy for its Group C cars. There were no minimum production requirements or engine type or capacity. This was ideal for Porsche which had always done well in the index of performance category. Maximum tank capacity was 100 liters and cars would only be allowed 5 stops in the course of a 1000 K or 6 hour race and 25 stops in a 24 hour race. A minimum weight of 1,764 lbs, outside dimensions and safety requirements were also mandated. The 956 was built to the limit of the regulations, with the longest wheelbase ever seen on a Porsche. It was designed with aid of a wind tunnel with special attention to airflow under the car empahsizing downforce.

On the first outing in 1982 the 956 took second place at Silverstone The 956 made its debut at the 1982 Silverstone 6 Hour race, the second round of the World Championship with Jacky Ickx and Derek Bell driving for the factory to a second place position. After missing the following round at the NÃƒÂ¼rburgring 1000km for developmental reasons, the Ickx/Bell unit reappeared at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. They led the race for the entire 24 hours, eventually taking the overall win - their third win together. Their car had number 1 from their victory in 1981 with a Porsche 936 that had used an early version of the 956 engine. The two other factory 956 followed them, so the three factory Porsches finished 1-2-3 in the order of their starting numbers. Because of the strong showing at Le Mans, Porsche then decided to compete for the World Championship for Makes which they won. The Drivers Championship was won by Jackie Ickx on the last race of the season at Brands Hatch in 1982.

Boosted by this success, in 1983 Porsche sold 12 customer versions of the 956 to privateer teams such as Joest Racing, Obermaier Racing, John Fitzpatrick Racing, Richard Lloyd Racing, Kremer Racing and Brun Motorsport who raced them independently of the factory. At Le Mans were 3 factory Rothman 956 and 9 private entries which took 9 of the top 10 positions. Rothmans and Ickxx went on to win the '83 World Championships.

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Porsche 956/962 Long-Distance Roll of Honour

Event Date Series Driver/s Team
1982 (5 wins)
Le Mans 24hrs jun,19-20 WEC Icks/Bell Porsche AG
Spa 1000kms sep,5 WEC Icks/Mass Porsche AG
Spa 1000kms oct,3 WEC Icks/Mass Porsche AG
Fuji 6hrs oct,7 WEC Icks/Bell Porsche AG
Brands Hatch 1000km nov,6 n/c Icks/Mass Porsche AG

1983 (15 wins)
Zolder mar,20 DRM Wollek/Boutsen Joest
Suzuka 500kms apr,3 JSPC Schuppan/Fujita Trust
Monza 1000kms apr,10 WEC Wollek/Boutsen Joest
Silverstone 1000kms may,8 WEC Bell/Bellof Porsche AG
Nurburgring 1000kms may,29 WEC Mass/Ickx Porsche AG
Fuji 500kms jun,5 Fuji Schuppan/Fujita Trust
Le Mans 24hrs jun,18-19 WEC Schuppan/holbert/Haywood Porsche AG
Elkhart Lake jul,17 Can-Am Fitzpatrick Fitzpatrick
Fuji 1000kms jul,24 Fuji Schuppan/Fujita Trust
Suzuka 1000kms aug,28 JSPC Schuppan/Fujita Trust
Spa 1000kms sep,4 WEC Ickx/Mass Porsche AG
Brands Hatch 1000kms sep,18 WEC Fitzpatrick/Wollek Fitzpatrick
Fuji 1000kms oct,2 WEC Bellof/Bell Porsche AG
Mugello 1000kms oct,23 WEC Wollek/Johansson Joest
Kyalami 1000kms dec,10 n/c Bell/Bellof Porsche AG

1984 (19wins)
Suzuka 500kms apr,1 JSPC Schuppan/Katayama Trust
Monza 1000kms apr,23 WEC Bell/Bellof Porsche AG
Silverstone 1000kms may,13 WEC Mass/Ickx Porsche AG
Fuji 1000kms jun,3 JSPC Takahashi/Takahaschi Nova
Mid-Ohio 500kms jun,10 IMSA Holbert/Bell Holbert
Le Mans 24hrs jun,16-17 WEC Pescarolo/Ludwig Joest
Watkins Glen jul,8 IMSA Bell/Holbert/Adams Holbert
Nurburgring 1000kms jul,15 WEC Bell/Bellof Porsche AG
Brands Hatch 1000kms jul,28 WEC Palmer/Lammers Lloyd
Mosport 1000kms aug,5 WEC Mass/Ickx Porsche AG
Suzuka 100kms aug,26 JSPC Takahashi/Takahaschi/Lees Nova
Road America 500 aug,26 IMSA Holbert/Bell Holbert
Spa 1000kms sep,2 WEC Bellof/Bell Porsche AG
Pocono 500 sep,9 IMSA Holbert/Bell Holbert
Imola 1000kms sep,15 WEC Bellof/Stuck Brun
Fuji 1000kms sep,30 WEC Bellof/Watson Porsche AG
Fuji 500 nov,25 Fuji Schuppan/Katayama Trust
Daytona 3hrs nov,25 IMSA Holbert/Bell Holbert
Sandown Park 1000kms dec,2 WEC Bellof/Bell Porsche AG

1985 (29 wins)
Daytona 24hrs feb,2-3 IMSA Foyt/Wollek/Unser Sr./Boutsen Henn
Miami Grand Prix feb,24 IMSA Holbert/Bell Holbert
Sebring 12hrs mar,23 IMSA Foyt/Wollek Henn
Nurburgring 300kms apr,7 DSM int. Stuck Brun
Mugello 1000kms apr,14 WEC Ickx/Mass Porsche AG
Monza 1000kms apr,28 WEC Winkelhock/Surer Kremer
Riverside 600kms apr,28 IMSA Morton/Halsmer Busby
Fuji 1000kms may,5 JSPC Schuppan/Suzuki Trust
Laguna Seca may,5 IMSA Holbert Holbert
Silverstone 1000kms may,12 IMSA Ickx/Mass Porsche AG
Charlotte 500 may,19 IMSA Holbert/Bell Holbert
Lime Rock may,27 IMSA Olson Dyson
Mid-Ohio 500km jun,9 IMSA Holbert/Bell Holbert
Le Mans 24hrs jun,15-16 WEC Ludwig/Barilla/Winter Joest
Watkins Glen 3hrs jul,7 IMSA Holbert/Bell Holbert
Hockenheim 1000kms jul,14 WEC Bell/Stuck Porsche AG
Portland 500kms jul,28 IMSA Holbert Holbert
Fuji 500 jul,29 JSPC Takahashi/Takahashi Nova
Sears Point 300kms aug,4 IMSA Wollek Bayside
Mosport 1000kms aug,11 WEC Bell/Stuck Porsche AG
Suzuka 1000kms aug,25 JSPC Takahashi/Takahashi Nova
Road America 500 aug,25 IMSA Olson/Rahal Dyson
Pocono 500kms sep,8 IMSA Holbert/Bell Holbert
Brands Hatch 100kms sep,22 WEC Bell/Stuck Porsche AG
Watkins Glen 500kms sep,29 IMSA Holbert/Bell Holbert
Columbus 500kms oct,6 IMSA Olson/Cobb Dyson
Fuji 500kms nov,24 JSPC Takahashi/Takahashi Nova
Selangar 1000kms dec,1 WEC Ickx/Mass Porsche AG
Daytona 3hrs dec,1 IMSA Holbert/Unser Jr. Holbert