2003 Chevrolet Corvette C5-R Pilots: J. Magnussen, O. Beretta, O. Gavin Team: Corvette Racing Race: 6th overall (1st in GTS class) at Le Mans in 2004 Ixo - LMM 064 (diecast)
Published 07/16/17
The C5-R is based on the C5 generation of the Chevrolet Corvette sports car. Chevrolet, along with Pratt & Miller, built the car specifically for competition in endurance racing. In 1998 General Motors wanted a factory team to participate in grand touring races, specially at Le Mans, and they wanted to use a more production-based racing car. The C5-R debuted in 1999, and in total 11 chassis were built by Pratt & Miller between 1998 and 2004, with engines built by Katech Engine Development. The car had a carbon fiber body around an unitary steel chassis propelled by a typically huge American 6980 cm³ V8 with 16 valves and aluminum block and heads, that produced 570 hp.
This C5-R #64 is chassis #C5R-10, built in 2003 and raced until the end of 2008. At La Sarthe in 2004 the car was 1st in class (GTS), coming in 6th overall. The C5-R was a class winner at Le Mans three times, in 2001, 2002 and 2004. But in 2005 the C6-R took it’s place in endurance racing.
The C5-R #64 is a quite nice model from Ixo, and one that I had to get. However it’s an older mold. So compared to my C6 it’s less sharp in terms of detail, especially with the paint job and wheels. Still, a nice model that looks pretty good even next to it’s more refined younger sibling. In terms of bang-for-the-buck Ixo delivers a terrific value. Models like these Vettes are not expensive but are really good. To the point that I really don’t see why go after a Spark.