1984 Gebhardt / ADA Cosworth JC843 Group C2

The Gebhardt brothers, Fritz and Gunther had been manufacturers of high speed conveyor systems before turning their attention to building effective Group C2 cars. Located at Silverstone, the first prototype was produced in 1983 followed by chassis #JC842 and #JC843 for the 1984 Group C2 World Championship of Makes. The new marque took a sixth in class overall with drivers that included Frank Jelinski and Stanley Dickens. Gebhardt quickly gained a reputation for excellent engineering and very thorough race preparation. The ADA Engineering company was founded by Leon Smith, Gerard Sauer and Woody Harris and in 1977 was acquired by engineer, Chris Crawford, and driver, Ian Harrower. In 1985 ADA purchased #JC843 and set about preparing the car for the 24 Hours Le Mans with drivers Ian Harrower, John Sheldon and Steve Earle. They finished a fine sixteenth overall and second in Croup C2. Good results followed at Mosport Park and the final round for the Selangor 800kms at the Malaysian Shah Alam where drivers Harrower/Piper/Clements finished sixth overall and winning C2. The finest result for the Gebhardt/ADA was the 1986 24 Hours Le Mans when Harrower/Clements/Dodd-Noble finished eighth overall, winning C2 and the only non-Porsche in the top ten. All results from a very successful season are available in the history file. Going into the final round of the World Championship at Fuji, Japan, the ADA team led the Group C2 standings only to drop back from the lead with a misunderstanding over fuel consumption. For 1987 ADA Engineering built their own cars. Gerbhardt's were a fixture of the German Supercup series in the late eighties. The Gebhardt became available for purchase with the break-up of the famous Bianci Rossi collection in 2007. Having spent the majority of its time unused and subsequently very well preserved it was then restored, but importantly, engineered to return to Group C racing. During 2009 at the Nurburgring it won its class and in 2010 was fastest C2 at the Le Mans support race. At the Silverstone Classic in 2011 it was 4th in class. This Gebhardt has been rebuilt and engineered to a very high standard and has FIA/ HTP papers. It is now fully race prepared with a new fuel cell, crack-test certificates and Group C Technical passport. All the original parts and even the ADA sales invoice are present. There are three sets of correct Ronal wheels with casting patterns for the centres offered with this Lot. Group C cars are recognised today as an increasingly attractive Historic alternative throughout the world. The Gebhardt was a sophisticated and very successful reliable design, and this is a rare car with winning 24 Hours of Le Mans history, correct spares package and race ready preparation for use on the track, or for the discerning collector...