Sauber Mercedes C9

[kensar]

Haven't built a Group C car in forever and have never made this one.  The Tamiya Sauber Mercedes C9 from 1989, the LeMans winner.

The molds are starting to show their age, with minor flash on several parts.  The kit is very nice, including PE parts, window masks, and seatbelt material.

I will be adding some detail as I go along, starting with the front wheel wells - adding coolant pipes and brake ductwork, along with the front wall of the foot box.  Adding some rivet detail in the form of aluminum HVAC tape embossed with a rivet tool.

The brake ductwork is just wound wire at this time.  I needed to figure out how to attach the ducts to the hubs.  I plan to brush on some canopy glue or Micro Crystal Clear to fill in between the wire coils.  I'll probably add some pedals too.  How can you drive a car with no gas pedal?

[bytownshaker]

I'll definitely be following, The C9 and C11 are 2 of my favorite Group C cars.

[Rich Chernosky]

Cover the wire for the brake ducts with heat shrink tubing.  That should do the trick. Got this one in my stash too so i will be following along. 

[Pierre Rivard]

Great new project to follow and learn from. Saw (and heard, ouch) the C11 at Montreal's Gilles Villeneuve track 35 years ago. A beautiful brute!

[steveracer]

Hope you can add the front nose body panel, and fill it in with putty so the nose looks good without joint lines.  The main reason when I opened the kit 35 years ago, I put it back in the box and it stayed there, lol.  Surprised Tamiya designed it that way.  

So I built a Starter 1/43 version instead...

 

Do it proud, will follow along! 

Edited March 11 by steveracer

[bytownshaker]

1 hour ago, Pierre Rivard said:

Great new project to follow and learn from. Saw (and heard, ouch) the C11 at Montreal's Gilles Villeneuve track 35 years ago. A beautiful brute!

I was there also, we got ushered out of the area as we were close to the area where the manhole cover was sucked out and damaged numerous car stopping the race.

[Dave B]

I have this one to build also so I'll be following.  You could just cover the wire with a really thin good quality masking tape, Tamiya maybe, and paint it with rubber flat black paint?

Dave B

[kensar]

I finished the brake ducts by coating with Micro Krystal Clear then painted black and added straps.  Using heat shrink tubing would have been far too stiff to make the bends needed.

I will continue on with the interior, as I have made the pedals and will add some aluminum panels and other details.  Currently in the process of making another shifter.

I didn't put the master cylinders behind the pedals as I don't think they will be visible anyway.

The reference pictures I'm using are of a 1989 chassis that never raced.  I understand the LeMans cars were 1988 chassis and I could not find any pictures of the LeMans race interior configuration.  Most pictures are of WSC race configurations.

 

[kensar]

I have the interior done but all the components will be installed later when more of the engine is done.

Mockup:

There are a couple more details to be added - in good time.

[Funkychiken]

Cool build so far! The tape and rivet tool is a funky idea, looks great!

[Steve H]

Nice, clean work here Ken. I really like your brake duct solution, clever, and looks great. 

[kensar]

Thanks for commenting Atin and Steve.  I just wish the rivet tool rivets were more realistic.  It was made for a smaller scale than 1/24.  

[kensar]

I decided to remake the rear shock absorbers a little more accurate according to my reference pics.

[kensar]

A short update.  I've been working on the very tedious engine compartment details using wires and small tubing.  This vehicle has a lot going on back here.

[MarkJ]

Wow, Ken. This is looking amazing already. The hoses and the shock redo look like the real thing. 

[Mike C]

On 3/12/2025 at 10:19 AM, kensar said:

I finished the brake ducts by coating with Micro Krystal Clear then painted black and added straps.  Using heat shrink tubing would have been far too stiff to make the bends needed.

I will continue on with the interior, as I have made the pedals and will add some aluminum panels and other details.  Currently in the process of making another shifter.

I didn't put the master cylinders behind the pedals as I don't think they will be visible anyway.

The reference pictures I'm using are of a 1989 chassis that never raced.  I understand the LeMans cars were 1988 chassis and I could not find any pictures of the LeMans race interior configuration.  Most pictures are of WSC race configurations.

 

You really got the desired effect on the brake ducts. I have this kit too, still unopened. I'll have to do the same thing one day.

[kensar]

Thanks Mike and Mark.  I just returned from a two week out of town trip.  I'm now posting where things are with this project.  I'm also working on 3D printing new turbo blow off valve actuating mechanisms, since these are very visually prominent (also working on designing the next 3D project).

Here is the air box, not yet completed and just placed into position.  I managed to find some 'Mercedes Benz' decals similar to what the actual car had.

I've added most of the interior details now.

I've lost a bit of momentum on this since starting my next 3D print design, but things will continue to get done.

Thanks to all that have commented and looked in on this.

[Mike C]

12 hours ago, kensar said:

Thanks Mike and Mark.  I just returned from a two week out of town trip.  I'm now posting where things are with this project.  I'm also working on 3D printing new turbo blow off valve actuating mechanisms, since these are very visually prominent (also working on designing the next 3D project).

Here is the air box, not yet completed and just placed into position.  I managed to find some 'Mercedes Benz' decals similar to what the actual car had.

I've added most of the interior details now.

I've lost a bit of momentum on this since starting my next 3D print design, but things will continue to get done.

Thanks to all that have commented and looked in on this.

I like those shocks and coils. Did you make them yourself or are they from a detail kit?

[kensar]

I made the shocks myself.  I plan to make a few more small parts on the lathe for this project.

[Pierre Rivard]

That engine compartment is getting busy! I love the various detailing elements and paint textures & color shades you have done to all these engine & chassis elements. It looks very lifelike.

Oh... on a side note, anybody want to do a few laps strapped in the "comfy" mandatory second seat? Ouch!

[kensar]

"Oh... on a side note, anybody want to do a few laps strapped in the "comfy" mandatory second seat? Ouch!"

And no safety belts either!

A couple more progress shots.

3D printed blow off valve actuator vs. the kit part.

Getting the right side finished.

The hole in the heat shielding is for a duct from the body into the turbo inlet area.

More details to do!

[Nacho Z]

Just getting caught up on this one, Ken.  You are doing a great job on this!  I really appreciate you showing us what you have added and how you’ve done it.  Looking forward to seeing your progress on this.

[MarkJ]

This is ridiculous, Ken. It looks like you are working on a real car. Your part looks better than the kit part.

[Pierre Rivard]

One word... WOW!

[kensar]

Okay, I believe the engine compartment is done now.

This car sure has a lot going on back here.

The rear wing mount is next.