CMC Porsche 904 Carrera GTS, 500 km Spa 1964, Leon Dernier

A masterpiece of architecture model: CMC Porsche 904 Carrera GTS, 500 km Spa 1964, Leon Dernier, #43

When the Porsche 904 debuted at the Solitude Circuit, Germany in November 1963, a plan was also in place to build it for a minimum of 100 vehicles so as to meet the FIA’s regulations for homologation of a racing as well as road-legal vehicle.

Equipment features: Exhaust system: Sebring
Color: Silver / Red

Technical data of the CMC model:

1. Model: Precision model hand-assembled, Die-Cast
2. Manufacturer: CMC GmbH, Classic Model Cars, Germany
3. Scale: 1:18
4. Item-No.: M-233
5. Limited Edition: 1,500

CMC model car details:

• Hand-assembled metal precision model made from 1,015 to 1,073 parts
• Athentic reproduction of the entire vehicle
• The hood can be swung open to the rear with a true-to-original replica or the opening kinematics
• Tank filler neck with opening cap and open oil filler neck
• Doors to be opened with movable sliding windows
• Openable front hood with fuel tank and spare wheel underneath
• True to the original rims
• Highly detailed four-cylinder engine ("Fuhrmann engine") with many add-on units and complete cable routing/wiring
• True to the original design of the vehicle interior
• Racing equipment, seats with real velours cover
• Highly detailled windshield wipers with real rubber wiper blades
• True to the original dashboard with all display instruments and controls
• Exact replica of the elaborate chassis and cover including the front and rear wheel suspension, the oil tank, the dry sump lubrication and the gasoline tank, as well as an impressive tailpipe design of the racing exhaust system

Description of the original vehicle: The highlights of 904-040 are largely associated with its first owner Léon Dernier, aka Eldé, of Belgium, who was a well-known sports car racer in the late 1950s and early 1960s. He first competed in the 1953 Spa-Francorchamps. The race was part of the newly created World Sportscar championship. But the Peugeot 203 that he co-piloted with Claude Collard lost a wheel, and the vehicle was disqualified by the use of unauthorised assistance.

Two years later he took his standing in the top position at the 24 Hours of Paris in Montlhéry, where he finished fifth overall with co-pilot Charles de Cortanze. At the 24 Hours of Le Mans 1959, he placed 2nd overall, an achievement that he repeated in 1962. Both times, Jean Blaton was his teammate.

During the 1960s he was on the Belgian racing teams Equipe Nationale Belge and the Ecurie Francorchamps, competing in the Belgian Touring Car Championship, the German Circuit Championship, and international sports car races. In the process, he largely campaigned Ferrari models, including 250 GT SWB, 250 LM, 250 GTO, 250 Testa Rossa, etc.

Following his acquisition of 904-040 in 1964, Eldé raced it in a series of hill climbs, finishing 1st overall at Laroche-Samre, 2nd overall both at Ste Cécil – Hauberment and Citadelle de Namur. During Eldé‘s ownership, 904-040 was entered in as many as eight races, next only to the 250 GT SWB he raced, but more than the other Ferrari models that he campaigned.

Eldé‘s greatest successes were at 24-hour races. In 1964, he raced 904-040 with start number 43 to finish 8th in the GT2.0 class at 500 Km Spa on May 17, then placed 6th overall both at Zolder GP on July 19, and Rheinland Pfalz Preis Nurburgring on August 1. He appeared to participate in these races as a privateer with no known sponsor.

After 904-040 clinched a 10th overall finish with a 2nd-place class win at 500 Km Spa 1965, it was sold to Verdoedt. Hoffman of Germany purchased the car from him and had it restored with a new body.

Technical data of the original vehicle:

1. Two-seater coupé body made of fiberglass over a steel frame
2. Four-cylinder boxer engine
3. Dry sum lubrication
4. Bore x Stroke: 92.0 x 74.0 mm
5. Displacement: 1,966 cm³
6. Performance: 180 hp at 7,200 rpm
7. Maximum speed: approx. 263 km/h (racing version)
8. Brakes: Disc brakes on all four wheels
9. Wheelbase: 2,400 mm
10. Tires front:165-15 or 5.00 M-15
11. Tires rear: 165-15 or 5.00 M-15 (5.50 M-15)
12. Track width front: 1,316
13. Track width rear: 1,312 mm
14. Vehicle length: 4,090 mm
15. Vehicle width: 1,540 mm
16. Vehicle hight: 1,065 mm
17. Construction time: 1963-65
18. number of units: 116, of which 106 with four-cylinder engines

CMC Legal Disclaimer The use of manufacturers’ names, symbols, type designations, and/or descriptions is solely for reference purposes. It does not imply that the CMC scale model is a product of any of these manufacturers.
The use of racing team and/or driver names, symbols, starting numbers, and/or descriptions is solely for reference purposes. Unless otherwise stated, it does not imply that the CMC scale model is a product of any of these racing teams/drivers or endorsed by any of them.

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