A Christmas idea? The greatest 24 Hours of Le Mans winners

Returning to Christmas gifts that will delight racing fans of all ages, we’re spotlighting iconic Sports Prototype cars. We’ve handpicked the most memorable winners from the history of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the ultimate endurance race. Stay tuned for next week’s Roarington picks, focusing on those who are passionate about great road car design.

Bugatti 57G “Tank” 1937

At a time when Bugatti was at its peak with various versions of the model 57, notably the Atlantic, and when Bugatti’s high-speed train was setting international records, the company achieved its most sought-after Le Mans victory in 1937 with the 57G “Tank”. This model, later refined, also won the 1939 edition but is linked to the tragedy that effectively ended Bugatti’s golden age: Jean Bugatti, who had taken over the company’s reins, tragically lost his life in a testing accident.

Ferrari 166 MM 1949

This model is a must-have for collectors: the 166 MM, powered by a modest 2000cc engine, brought Ferrari its first victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The win was made unforgettable by Luigi Chinetti’s remarkable endurance, driving the car for 23 out of the 24 hours of the race. In fact, Enzo Ferrari had refused to be at Le Mans because he considered it too soon to undertake such an effort. Chinetti found the car and proved him wrong.

Jaguar D-Type 1955

Arguably the most beautiful car to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Jaguar D-Type stands out for its innovative aerodynamic design, featuring smooth lines and a distinctive rear fin adorned with its race number. The D-Type triumphed three times at Le Mans: in 1955 with the official green works car, number 6, driven by Hawthorn and Bueb, and in the following two years with the Ecurie Ecosse team, sporting their iconic blue and white livery.

Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa TR58 1958

The various versions of the Ferrari 250, called the Testa Rossa, with their emblematic 12-cylinder engines symbolizing Italian technical refinement, reached their most stylistically captivating expression with the 1958 Le Mans-winning model driven by Gendebien and Hill. In subsequent years, the design choice of an air passage between the nose and the “pontoon fender” wheel arches was abandoned in favour of a more conservative yet efficient styling in the years that followed.

Aston Martin DBR1 1959

In 1959, Aston Martin achieved a remarkable victory over its British rival, Jaguar, with the DBR1. Driven by Roy Salvadori and American racing legend Carroll Shelby, who would go on to create the iconic Cobra, the first true symbol of American ambition to compete with European manufacturers. The DBR1 is still the car that gave Aston Martin their only win at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Ford GT40 1966

The Ford GT40 became a symbol of American triumph over Ferrari. Built from a collaboration between the United States and England, the GT40, with its formidable 7000cc V8 engine, managed to outperform Ferrari, which had a significantly smaller engine capacity. This iconic victory is etched in history and popular culture through the film “Ford v Ferrari”.

Porsche 917K 1970

After dominating the lower classes for several years, Porsche aimed for an outright victory at Le Mans, taking advantage of a rule change to create the legendary 917. With a 12-cylinder boxer engine, essentially two 2.2-liter 911 R engines combined, the 917 delivered over 500 horsepower, an astronomical figure for that era, all packed into a vehicle weighing just 800kg. The 917 won on its first outing in 1970 and repeated the feat the following year.

Mazda 787B 1991

Fortune favours the bold. In 1991, Mazda fielded the 787B with a rotary Wankel engine at Le Mans, aiming to demonstrate the viability of this unique engine technology. Not only did they achieve this goal, but they also surpassed expectations by winning the race, becoming the first Japanese manufacturer to claim victory at the French 24-hour race. This record remains unbroken, as it was the first and only time a non-piston engine has ever won the race.