1995 Porsche 911 (993) GT2 Pilots: E. Graham, H. Poulain, J-L. Maury-Laribiere Team: Elf Haberthur Racing Race: 20th overall (5th in GT2) at Le Mans in 1998 Spark - S4448 (resin)
Published 05/04/17
Produced from 1993 to 1998, the 993 was famous for being the last of the air-cooled 911s. To some, it was the pinnacle of 911 development. Furthermore, the GT2 was the hardcore race version of the 993 Turbo, made in extremely low numbers – about only 57 units. They came with the Turbo’s air-cooled 3.6 liter flat six. That engine produced 430 hp for the street version and up to 600 hp (!) in race tune.
The #68 is a true an art car, and this most unorthodox livery came from the great French cartoonist Georges Wolinski. Sadly, he was assassinated in 2015 in the Parisian Charlie Hebdo magazine terrorist attack. The Swiss team Elf Haberthur Racing raced this same car at Le Mans from 1995 to 1998, yet the best result was in 1997 when it came in first in class.
In the early 2000’s, the “Naked Lady” and the white GT2 Evo (both from UT) were probably the two most sought after Porsche models in 1:18. The car was always a grail car for me, and eventually I got lucky and found one. In 1:43 I think it’s even nicer than of what I remember my old 1:18. The 1:18 was basically a white GT2 covered in decals that even when new didn’t look very “solid”. In contrast, the livery here looks much better executed.
This is my first Spark, and I’m very happy with it. The detail level is terrific, and for those who do display their models on the base, the case and base are the best I’ve seen for 1:43 so far. The Naked Lady is an absolutely lovely model, and with the passing of George Wolinski it’s even more important. In other words, a must buy for both Le Mans and race Porsche collectors alike. Moreover, for me especially, like with the Carrera RSR #22, this is a grail model.
Georges Wolinski
* June 28th, 1934
+ January 7th, 2015