First Sauber C9: example of the car that approached 250 at Le Mans

1987 Cars For Sale C9 by Colin Wood
Apr 27, 2026

Just how fast was the Sauber C9? During qualifying ahead of the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1989–the year just before the chicanes were added to the Mulsanne Straight–a C9 was clocked at speeds in excess of 240 mph. At those speeds, it would take you less than a minute to drive the entire 3.7-mile Mulsanne Straight.

As for this C9–chassis C9.87.01–it’s noted to be the very first example produced, intended to contest the 1987 FIA World Sportscar Championship and ADAC Supercup in Germany.



During its debut year, the Sauber was sponsored by Yves Saint Laurent’s Kouros fragrance and piloted by Mike Thackwell and Henri Pescarolo. The following year, however, title sponsorship was awarded to AEG-Olympia (an electronics company owned by Mercedes), with Jean-Louis Schlesser at the wheel.

Schlesser would pilot C9.87.01 in the 1988 ADAC Supercup, securing the outright victory after wins at Hockenheim, Norisring and Diepholz.



Following the 1988 season, the C9 was used to further develop the new Mercedes M119 engine and, after the conclusion of the 1989 season, was retired, refinished in silver and retained by Peter Sauber.

The current owner acquired C9.87.01 directly from Peter Sauber in 2015, and subsequently subjected the car to a comprehensive restoration, stripping virtually everything down to its most basic pieces before rebuilding it all. Today, the Sauber has been returned to its original racing configuration and wears a recreation of its eye-catching AEG-Olympia livery.



Find this 1987 Sauber-Mercedes C9 listed for sale from Mouse Motors, with its price available upon application.