22 January 2021
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Ixo MAN Büssing Rothmans Porsche Race Transport
PRICE: £75.99
REF: TTR022
SCALE: 1/43
Incredibly, MAN can trace its origins back to 1758, when the St. Antony ironworks commenced operation in Oberhausen. It acquired Büssing AG in 1971, and that company's lion logo was incorporated into the grille logo on all future MAN trucks.
During the early eighties, the Porsche factory racing team attracted major sponsorship across its racing activities (endurance sports car racing, including Le Mans, the Paris Dakar Rally, etc.) from tobacco giant. Rothmans. It support/transporter trucks, of course, were emblazoned with the well-known livery that became linked with Porsche's successes.
The arrangement began in 1982, and from 1983, the corporate identity was changed to the logo that you see here. The deal last up to and including the 1987 racing season - a period during which Rothmans Porsche won Le Mans four times.
Ixo has recreated the largely-diecast MAN tractor unit very well, featuring some very nice detailing, including the hoses to the rear of the cab. The triple-wipered windscreen arrangement is a particularly nice touch too.
The trailer is entirely moulded in plastic and this allows for a very realistic look to the rear roller shutters. These don't operate, of course, but they look good, as do the rear light lenses.
The iconic livery is perfectly replicated here, with excellent crisp lines. Another winner.