My Berta
With this car a very special model arrived in my collection! Unique in his form, only once driven in a race (Le Mans
1971); she didn't won the race but got her fans all around the world. For several years I saw a Resine-model of "The Pink
Pig" in 1:32, but it was sold out. It was nearly impossible, and when I found one model it was enormous expensive…
Then I really prefer visiting the " Pink Pig " in a museum!
Than I found a merchant in the abroad who told me, that Porsche 917/20 is going to be produced again in small number and he
would write me on his list…I couldn't belief it! Should my dream really come true? After a couple of month I asked
again: "When will I get my pig?" Again and again the same answer: later… Than the final answer: in November! November
came and gone, but even no model for me. Sadness replaced my hope.
Than one more mail: I will get a car in summer 2007, they only will proof the number of cars… Jeeeha! Keep cool! I
couldn't belief it!! I'm going to get this car!! In 1:32 it will fit on a chassis of Fly, I bought some month before!
It was a very special moment, when the package arrived; what was inside you can see on this picture:
To make this car drivable, I need a donator-model; in this case Porsche 917K of Fly
I need some peaces listed below:
· the complete chassis
· slabs
- fuel filler caps
- rear roddings
- windscreen wiper
- grille
- cockpit
When you compare the form and dimension of the Short-Tail with 917/20, there are enormous differents. The front is briefer,
the lead much bigger! Its very easy to change it into the right lead: you only have to remove the wheels from the axles, and
fix the right amplitude with spacer. The briefer front is a bigger problem: here you have to shorten the chassis, so that
only the connections in the front were left.
A few colour is comes into play as well. The surrounding of the lights painted black, the air entrance for cooling the
brakes painted red, and the inside of the rear should be contrasted as well, but in which colour? Many pictures, much more
models, endless colour variations!! But which one is the right one?? On a picture of the race I recognized a red note, my
decision was felt.
Just a little history of the amazing race: The Porsche technicians developed the body together with an France factory called
SERA, to connect the pros of the Short rear with the Long rear. The body was extensive wide (2210mm), and had short
overhangs. The wheels were located deep in the wheelhouse, because the lead was retained. The Big Berta won the 3h race in
the final training in Le Mans driven by Willi Kauhusen. Sadly the Pig failed in the 4h race on fifth position, braking
problems. The designers of Porsche had every license to create the varnish; there won't be any photographer in the year 1971
who didn't take a photo of this car!
And here a pic in with 3Bertas in different scale 1:18; 1:32 und in 1:43
And here some pics: Under friends from Le Mans 1971 ;-)
