Topic: Rondeau M579 6-wheeler prototype for Le Mans 1979

[grobmotorix]

Another fine racing car, but who knows the details?

[woodinsight]

Inaltera Ford prototype designed for Le Mans 1977

[grobmotorix]

You´re very close, but it is another 1977 LeMans prototype proposal.

LOCKED for woodinsight for 24h.

[woodinsight]

Okay - I think it is the project ORCA proposed for the sponsor Inaltera.
It was designed with Le Mans 1977 in mind and would have been fitted with a Ford Cosworth DFX turbo.

It was canned as being to expensive for Inaltera and anyway would have been illegal under Le Mans regulation of the day.

[grobmotorix]

Hmmm, it´s not an easy situation, because I have a different make and designation.

I´m not 100% sure if my magazine source is absolutely reliable, but I´ve found another place in the internet, where it´s got the name I want to hear...

I´ve found your source with the same two pictures, too, where it is called the Orca 1977 LeMans project.

Maybe some independent autopuzzler can verify your version.

Then you´ve deserved one point immediately!

[woodinsight]

Let me dig again this evening!

[grobmotorix]

My source says it´s a 1978 project with a Cosworth-V8 engine.

Maybe this will help a bit...

[woodinsight]

Haven't had the the time yet to dig further but perhaps the name you are looking for is Rondeau.
The Inaltera cars were in fact the first Rondeaus (built by Jean Rondeau near Le Mans). Three were built before Inaltera, the major sponsor who lent their name to the cars, pulled out. The cars were then named Rondeau from 1978 onwards. 18 were built in total. Jean Rondeau went on to win Le Mans in 1980 - the only constructor to achieve this. He was killed in an unfortunate accident on a railway crossing at Champagne in 1985.

If this is not the name you are looking for I'll try googling the Internet for further info.

[woodinsight]

I found the information you require -
The Rondeau M579 was designed for competing at Le Mans 1979.
My source says 1977 but who knows?
The project was probably delayed a couple of times during its development.

[grobmotorix]

PRFCT!

[dzima1985]

another view -

[grobmotorix]