Ahh, the sweet smell of speed. Yves Saint Laurent sponsored this car, highlighting their popular ‘80’s men’s cologne fragrance, (Debut 1981) “Kouros”. Mike Thackwell was its pilot. No driver sprang onto the racing scene quite as quickly as Mike did. In 1979, at 18, he won 5 major races in the British F3 series. In subsequent years he had success in Formula 1 but had many disappointments in the World Sportscar Championship (WSC). The car itself, however, went on to great success. In 1988, in the WSC, the Sauber Mercedes C9 took five firsts and was second for teams. In 1989 it scored 8 wins and was first for teams. Also that year it finished 1-2 at the 24 Hours of LeMans.

The model is essentially the same as the previous issues, that is, unbelievably brilliant with detail and quality construction. The model’s deep blue paint is seemingly inches thick and highlighted with contrasting white graphics and racing livery. A striking departure is the gold and aluminum BBS® wheels. There’s a more aggressive rear wing, in sprint race configuration complete with separate wickerbill and plump rain tires with deep groove patterns carefully crafted into the racing rubber. The headlamps are single instead of the double that the 1989 C9 wore.

As with the 1989 #62 C9 that I reviewed in 10/02, I am continually amazed at the incredible use of materials and attention to finite details. With front and rear body applications set aside and the gullwing-like doors opened, everywhere you look rewards you with a different, never before seen detail. This model may just be as close to perfection as we can expect for the next couple of years. Although silver is the traditional Mercedes color, don’t overlook this dark blue beauty, it is gorgeous. It has the scent of success. 5 stars.

-Tony Perrone