From Le Mans 1983 is the Ford Concessionnaires France Rondeau M482. Three cars were entered for the race, the #24, #25 & #26. The #25 shown, qualified in 20th place on the grid and retired after only 12 laps with an oil leak. The car was piloted by Phillipe Strieff, Jean-Pierre Jaussaud & Michel Ferte - although Ferte didn't get to drive in the race due to the car's early retirement.

The model is by Bizarre and makes for a dramatic model - the rear end is particularly wild - who cares about the winners, when the failiures look like this!

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a123/jinxvrs/Rondeau/P6270020.jpg
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a123/jinxvrs/Rondeau/P6270018.jpg
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a123/jinxvrs/Rondeau/P6270017.jpg
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a123/jinxvrs/Rondeau/P6270016.jpg

Steve

Great car, Is the body metal or resin?

Steve - What an ugly, bizarre and provacative car. I've never seen this vehicle before. I think Rondeau was a driver - isn't that right? What was the Ford relationship? If it really has Ford heritage or mechanicals, it is the ugliest Ford I've ever seen. Does it have any Ford relationship or is it just the Ford distributor in France? Only the French can make a Ford look worse than it has to be.

- ranchero -

Great car, Is the body metal or resin?

Bizarre models are resin & therefore very light.

Steve

Steve - What an ugly, bizarre and provacative car. I've never seen this vehicle before. I think Rondeau was a driver - isn't that right? What was the Ford relationship? If it really has Ford heritage or mechanicals, it is the ugliest Ford I've ever seen. Does it have any Ford relationship or is it just the Ford distributor in France? Only the French can make a Ford look worse than it has to be.

- ranchero -

Jean Rondeau was indeed a driver who competed at Le Mans many times - in 1978 he entered a car for the first time under his own name. In 1980, he actually won the race in the Rondeau M379B - M379Cs finished second & third in 1981 as well.

The M482 could be discribed as a semi-works entry - like a lot of cars it was powered by the Cosworth V8 in 3.9 DFL form - and was heavily supported by Ford France, although the design was Rondeau's. Rondeau himself was killed in a road accident in 1985.

The car was a "ground effects" car, shaped to provide plenty of downforce - hence the weird rear end.

Steve

Very , very nice !

Very , very nice !

Thanks Simon.