Interserie and European Group 7

Except for Pike's Peak, hillclimbs are a European thing. They stradle the zone between circuit racing and rallying, and are usually geared toward amatures. But in the early 1960's, a few hillclimbs were part of the World Sportscar Championship and attracted top-level teams.

For diecast makers, these events provide justification for yet more variations on an existing mould.

Alfa Romeo 33.2 'Fléron'

Autodelta entered this car at a tiny Belgian event for its racing debut. It handily won, and took its name from this occasion...

Porsche 909 Bergspyder

Perhaps the most famous purpose-built hillclimb car was the plastic-bodied 909. Porsche easily dominated the European Hillclimb Championship in 1968 with these interesting and bulbous cars. The design influence can be seen in the 908/2 and 908/3 spyders.

Ferrari 212E Montagna

Not to be outdone, Ferrari created a one-off purpose-built car for the 1969 season. While the car won all nine of the events that it entered, it's real purpose was more of a "mindfuck" that caused Porsche to live in fear of a small Italian prototype that could beat them at the Nurburgring...