Description
This Sauber C5 was bought new in 1976 by Philippe Burckhardt, owner of the successful Swiss Francy Racing Team. Peter Sauber had all his works cars entered under the Francy banner and this car, chassis no. 002, ran in the Sports Car World Championship for open two litre sports prototypes. In the 1976 season the C5 was mostly driven by Swiss legend Herby Müller and the Francy racing team/ PP Sauber racing won the Inter Series European Championship with chassis 002. In the following season the car was driven in the Interseries European Championship, the 24 hours of Le Mans and the Sports Car World Championship for open two litre sports prototypes. It was mostly driven by Eugen Strähl and the Francy racing team achieved a second place in the Interseries European Championship in 1977. In 1978, 76-C 05-002 was sold to Peter Hoffmann in Germany who in turn sold the Sauber in 1980 to Norbert Drombowski, also from Germany. He had a Chevy V8 installed and entered the car in some of the Interseries races. In 1981 he had a Ford Zakspeed turbo engine installed and used the C5 for further Interseries races until 1984. In 1989 the car was bought by German Dieter Riegel, who re-installed an original BMW M12/ 6 engine. In 2004, chassis 002 was finally bought back by its first owner Philippe Burckhardt and subsequently entered in the Orwell Super Cup, the Arosa hill climb and the 2004 and 2006 edition of the Le Mans classic, driven by Christoph Burckhardt and Edy Schorno. In 2011 the C5 changed ownership again to a Mr. “N. N.” in Germany. He decided to have the racer restored in 2020 and return it to its 1976 livery. In 2021 finally, this important piece of Swiss racing history was returned to Switzerland. The Sauber has not been used in anger since its restoration and presents itself in outstanding condition. A large number of maintenance and revision receipts since 2004 is available. In addition, the car will be sold with a second front body section (with headlights for Le Mans), some sets of wheels and further replacement parts. The car has an FIA-HTP which is valid until 31. 12. 2029 as well as a current ACS car pass.
