2007 Spyker C8 Spyder GT2-R Pilots: A. Belicchi, A. Chiesa, A. Caffi Team: Spyder Squadron b. v. Race: DNF (GT2 class) at Le Mans in 2007 Ixo - LMM225P (diecast)
Published 03/24/18
From the beginning, management at Spyker had a great interest in racing, to the point that they had cars racing in high-profile endurance racings AND a F1 team – no small feat for such a small company. And since racing is NOT cheap, the brand just couldn’t take the financial strain and still be profitable, and according to one of the company’s directors, that’s what brought the manufacturer down. Maybe Spyker’s management was not exactly business savvy but no one can deny their passion for racing, and for the 24 Heures du Mans of 2006, the factory team had two cars in the race. Unfortunately, both cars, #85 (#XL9GB11HX50363098) and #86 (#XL9GB11HX50363097), had to abandon because of mechanical failures.
For the following year the Spyker Squadron was back, with the same two cars. However, this time with inverted numbers – #XL9GB11HX50363098 was #86 and #XL9GB11HX50363097 was #85. Unfortunately though, swapping numbers didn’t bring the team any extra luck, and once again both cars had to abandon. I’ll be the first to admit that the C8 is not exactly a gorgeous car to behold. And, the manufacturer is FAR from the garagisti that I so much admire from years past. Nonetheless, look at their motto: Nulla Tenaci invia est via (“For the tenacious no road is impassable”). You have my attention.
I’ve been wanting a Spyker in the Garage for a long time . In fact, I almost bought the #86 thrice, but other cars got in the way. Recently I found locally the GT2-R #85 but from Spark. I was about to buy it when I found #85 and #86. Best of all, for less than what I would pay on that one Spark. Since the C8 is far from a grail model, I opted for quantity, and here they are. And I’m pleased: pretty nifty models, with a “good enough” detail level. And my favorite? I think that would be the #85.