The Silver Arrow That Dominated Group C Comes to Bologna

Just six competition examples were built, and one season went down in endurance racing history: the Sauber-Mercedes C9 is coming to Bologna for Icons of Speed.

Between 1987 and 1990, the Sauber-Mercedes C9 established itself as the fastest car in Group C, becoming one of the absolute protagonists of the World Sportscar Championship. From October 22 to 25, visitors will have the opportunity to admire it at Icons of Speed, the new thematic exhibition at Auto e Moto d’Epoca dedicated to the iconic cars of endurance racing.

The car, coming from the Nationales Automuseum – The Loh Collection, will be on display at Auto e Moto d’Epoca 2026. The example presented here was inspected and entered for the 1989 24 Hours of Le Mans as a T-Car, the team’s reserve car, but it found its true stage in the World Sportscar Championship.

With Jean-Louis Schlesser and Jochen Mass at the wheel, it claimed four victories in 1989, taking wins at Jarama, the Nürburgring, Donington and Mexico City. These results contributed to the team’s World Sportscar Championship title.

Only six competition examples of the Sauber C9 were built between 1987 and 1989. In the final year of production, they were painted silver, paying tribute to the legendary Silver Arrows of the 1930s, of which the C9 proved to be a worthy successor.

Powered by a 5-litre twin-turbocharged V8 producing 720 hp and capable of reaching a top speed of 400 km/h, the Sauber-Mercedes C9 remains one of the defining cars of the golden age of endurance racing.

Some cars have made history. At Auto e Moto d’Epoca, you can see them up close.

From October 22 to 25, we look forward to welcoming you to BolognaFiere. Buy your ticket: Auto e Moto d’Epoca – Ticket Office