Description:

Rare Toyota factory car

Raced 1992/93/94 Le Mans 24h to 5th/6th/4th place

Entirely rebuilt & perfect entry for 2023 Le Mans Classic

 Back in 1990-1993 the Le Mans 24h experienced a truly Golden Age, with great manufacturers competing in an effort to win the most iconic endurance race. Jaguar, Nissan, Mazda, Peugeot, Porsche, Sauber and Toyota designed exceptional race cars.

In mid 1991 to develop a newer version of the Category 2 C-V cars , the 92C-V, as a « back up car » for Toyota’s Le Mans effort. Mazda’s victory at Le Mans in 1991 also confirmed Toyota's ambition to win. Two chassis were entered at the 1992 Le Mans and the subject car, chassis 001 bore number 35 on a beautiful red-rose on white body livery. It was driven by Fouché, Andskar and the legendary Stephan Johansson. The reliability of the Cat. 1 cars proved to be questionable and our car finished a remarkable 5th overall, the other 92C-V achieving 9th. place.

In 1993 the car was renamed « 93C-V » but still retained its 001 VIN. Its front end was revised to generate more down force, easily recognizable by its front flat splitter and the car was entered with race number 25. It was still driven by the Kiwi George Fouché, paired with the Swede Eje Elgh and Steven Andskar. It was a year of intense competition between the Cat 1 cars with no less that four Toyota TS010s and three Peugeots entered. Again the TS010 encountered failures and this was a « triplé » for Peugeot. Thanks to a remarkable effort on the Sunday morning our car managed to finish a surprising 6th overall only a couple of laps from the best placed TS010. 1993 was supposed to be the last year of Group C cars but this wouldn’t be the end of the 92C-V 's career.

Indeed for 1994 the regulations had changed but Toyota decided to modify the 92C-V into a LMP1, an all new category at Le Mans. Despite a massive handicap in terms of weight ( 1000kg instead of 900kg ), fuel capacity and downforce. Most of the LMP1 modifications consisted in a repositioned rear wing, longer tail and smaller diffuser whereas the front remained the same. Chassis 001 was driven again by the reliable pair of Fouché and Anskar complemented by the famous Porsche ace, Bob Wolleck. 

It qualified in 8th position only 4 seconds from the Courage C32 that achieved pole. The sister car, chassis 005 took the lead after 4 hours, with 001 3rd, then 1st and second after 7h and during the night our car shared the lead with its sister car. Our car finally finished a fantastic 4th overall. 

In 3 participations the 92C-Vs always saw the chequered flag proving its tremendous build quality and reliability.

After the race both cars returned to Japan and 005 was later donated to the Le Mans

This car, the sole example in private hands, remained Team Trust’s property until the end of the 2000s; In 2017 it was acquired by the current owner who had the car completely race prepared for Group C Racing with no expenses spared. Since then the car has been developed in the hands of former Le Mans winner Eric Hélary.

The car's critical components have all been cracked tested and it is in race ready condition. It also comes with an extensive spares package. 

There could hardly be a more historic, exotic and reliable Group C car to compete with on the historic racing scene. Its quality of build and proven cutting edge technology would make it a fantastic and trouble free car to race at the Le Mans Classic in 2023. 

This three times Le Mans entrant is a fabulous opportunity to acquire an extremely rare Toyota factory car prototype, fully ready to race.

Website:

Keyword Search Terms: