-Genuine Group C prototype developed by Yves Courage

-3-litre twin-turbo Porsche engine

-Aluminium monocoque chassis

-Eligible for Masters Group C

-Restored and prepared for historic motorsport

Among the greatest French prototypes to have competed in the golden age of Group C, Courage’s cars have a special place. Conceived in Le Mans by Yves Courage, these cars epitomised the heroic spirit of endurance racing in the 1980s and 1990s: light weight, aerodynamic efficiency and performance capable of competing with the top works teams.

Chassis 008, offered for sale today, is a genuine Courage C28S, an evolution of the famous line of Courage prototypes powered by Porsche turbo engines. Developed for the 1991/92 season, the C28S is a perfect representative of this generation of privately-entered French prototypes capable of challenging the giants in the World Endurance Championship and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Built around a remarkable aluminium monocoque chassis with an enclosed cockpit, the Courage had a 3-litre 6-cylinder Porsche engine with twin turbos, mated to a Porsche 5-speed manual gearbox. Its Masters Group C technical passport confirms that its configuration conforms to its period specification, with double-wishbone suspension, dry-sump lubrication, Bosch fuel injection, KKK turbochargers and a weight of just 800 kg.

The car looks spectacular today in its historic racing colours of blue, white and red, immediately bringing to mind the heyday of Group C. Its low-slung looks, enormous rear wing and extreme proportions instantly recall the golden age of endurance racing, when the Hunaudières straight saw the Porsche 962, Jaguar XJR, Sauber-Mercedes and Peugeot 905 battle it out at over 350 km/h.

A point of particular interest, this car comes with a sales invoice drawn up by Yves Courage himself on 4 July 2012, mentioning the chassis ‘Courage Type C28 LM – Chassis no. 008’, equipped with a Porsche engine and supplied fully reconditioned.

Eligible for Masters Group C, this Courage is the ideal passport today to enter the most prestigious international historic events. But beyond its eligibility, it offers above all an experience which has become almost impossible to find: that of a genuine Group C prototype, analogue in feel, light, brutal and infinitely spectacular.

With its twin-turbo Porsche flat-six, its enclosed cockpit typical of the Group C era and its pedigree deeply connected to the history of Le Mans, chassis 008 represents far more than a historic racing car: it is a living part of the history of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. A rare and radical machine, destined for a passionate enthusiast wishing to feel, from behind the wheel, all the magic and the intense mechanical force of one of the most fascinating periods in world endurance racing.

 Photos © Jean-Marie Biadatti