Peugeot 806 Procar from 1995

In the history of atypical MPVs, the Renault Espace F1 is not the only one. Peugeot also offered a sports version of its 806. More precisely, a racing version which ran in the Spa-Francorchamps 24 Hours in 1995. Pascal Witmeur, who was in charge of Peugeot's advertising budget and the Procar championship at the time, decided to attempt the impossible and prove that a Sochaux MPV was far from being just a van. The vehicle presented was delivered without an engine.

The one and only MPV to take part in the 1995 Spa-Francorchamps 24 Hours and an international endurance race! Certainly the most famous racing car in the Kingdom of Belgium! Under the impetus of Pascal Witmeur, driver, agent and promoter of the Procar, but also responsible for Peugeot's advertising budget in Belgium, this 806 began its transformation in May 1995 to become a real racing car. Thanks to the financial support of Peugeot and the technical teams of Kronos Racing, it was able to take the start of the race two months later with the 12th fastest time on the grid and 3rd in its class! A concentrate of technology, the engine is a 280hp 2-litre 4-cylinder from a 306 Maxi; the running gear is from a 405 Mi16 Supertouring car and the body, which comes from the Peugeot factory in Hauts de France, will be reinforced (in addition to the body reinforcements) with a unique custom-made AMP roll bar. More than just a racing car, it was a stroke of marketing genius that fired up the public in the grandstands and also in the paddocks, where the competition didn't appreciate being slower than a 'family' car! The car's withdrawal at the 10th hour due to engine failure did not affect the final result. The car, in the colours of Walibi and the weekly Le Vif - L'express, remained in the collection of the Kronos Racing team until the death of its founder Jean-Pierre Montron. In the hands of its second owner, some work will be carried out, notably on the running gear.

Prepared from May 1995 for the Spa Francorchamps 24 Hours, this Peugeot 806 was entrusted to Kronos Racing with the support of Peugeot. Drawing on the victorious parts bank of the 306 Maxi and 406 Supertourism, this MPV kept its chassis but received a 280 bhp 2.0L engine and high-performance running gear. This extraordinary preparation will propel the trio E.Bachelart/Ph.Verellen/P.Witmeur to the 6th row for the start.

Encountering various problems due to the very specific requirements of such a singular vehicle, the car did not finish the race but left its mark on the history of Spa Francorchamps.

Pascal Witmeur: "Every time it passed through the Raidillon, people applauded [...] The public liked it because, apart from the fact that it was atypical, it could often be driven on two wheels.

Production year: 1995
Body: White -WALIBI-LE VIF
Interior: Racing
Price: €57,500