Classics Beats The Day-Long Test

The 24 Hours of Le Mans became a runway show for some of the greatest machines ever built. Each car here faced time and heat, but only a few crossed the finish line.

Bentley Speed Six (1929, 1930)

Big and built for endurance, the Bentley Speed Six tackled Le Mans with a 6.6-liter engine that powered through endless laps. Glen Kidston co-drove the winning entry in 1930, which showed Bentley’s strength and strategy during a time when racing endurance mattered more than anything else.

Jaguar D-Type (1955, 1956, 1957)

At first glance, the D-Type looked sleek. But underneath, its dry-sump system lowered the hood and cut drag, while a tall stabilizer fin helped keep it straight. In its final Le Mans win, privateers shocked the field by locking in the top six positions.

Porsche 917K (1970, 1971)

Drivers sat for hours inside the 917K’s cockpit, while sweating in extreme heat without any air to cool them down. Early versions were dangerously unstable. Only after engineers shortened the long tail and improved handling did this car, powered by a loud flat-12 engine, start winning Le Mans.

Ford GT40 Mk II (1966)

The GT40 Mk II took the 1966 Le Mans by storm by claiming a historic 1-2-3 finish for Ford. It ran with a powerful 7.0-liter V8 and improved suspension. Yet controversy followed when Ken Miles lost the win due to a staged photo finish.

Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa (1958, 1960, 1961)

Ferrari’s 250 Testa Rossa blended grit with beauty and won Le Mans three times. Its pontoon fenders helped cool the brakes during long stints. In 1958, its Colombo-designed 3.0-liter V12 ended a two-year drought and brought Ferrari back to the top.

Jaguar C-Type (1951, 1953)

Before chasing speed records, the Jaguar C-Type built its legacy on braking innovation. It won Le Mans in 1951 with a standard system, but in 1953, its new disc brakes improved performance noticeably by helping secure a second win through smarter, more reliable stopping power and consistent lap times.

Matra-Simca MS670 (1972, 1973, 1974)

The Matra-Simca MS670 refused to quit, even when its exhaust pipes broke halfway through the 1973 race. Backed by France’s government, the car ran a powerful 3.0L V12, and the team’s determination carried the MS670 to three straight Le Mans victories and national racing pride.

Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 (1931, 1932, 1933, 1934)

In prewar Le Mans history, no car stood taller than the Alfa 8C 2300. Its supercharged straight-eight engine reached 125 mph, and it won four years in a row. Managed by Scuderia Ferrari before Enzo built his cars, this run helped solidify Ferrari's early racing influence.

Porsche 936 (1976, 1977, 1981)

Despite being retired earlier, the Porsche 936 returned to win Le Mans again, proof of its lasting strength. It was powered by a 2.1L flat-6 engine derived from the 911 Turbo. In 1981, Jacky Ickx drove through the night in its rare open-body race design.

Ferrari 330 TRI/LM (1962)

This car closed a chapter. With a 4.0L V12 developed from the Testa Rossa, the 330 became the last front-engine Ferrari to win Le Mans. Ferrari retired it right after the race, with Phil Hill and Olivier Gendebien having driven its final winning run before the shift to mid-engine designs.

Rondeau M379B (1980)

Jean Rondeau built and drove the M379B himself, and in 1980, he shocked the racing world by winning Le Mans against big factory teams. The car used a 3.0L Cosworth DFV V8 from Formula One. Even today, many French fans rarely celebrate this incredible homegrown victory.

Aston Martin DBR1 (1959)

Aston Martin's DBR1 survived where Ferraris faltered. Its straight-six engine favored smooth pacing over wild speed, with the reliability paying off in 1959. Roy Salvadori and Carroll Shelby shared the wheel to give Shelby his only Le Mans win. The car also secured that year's world championship.

Ford GT40 Mk IV (1967)

Why do race winners spray champagne on the podium? That started in 1967 when Dan Gurney, after winning Le Mans in the American-built GT40 Mk IV with AJ Foyt, popped a bottle and let it fly. The car’s honeycomb chassis also helped it handle long-distance racing.

Porsche 956 (1982, 1983, 1984)

The 956’s tunnels under the car helped it stay low and grip the road without slowing it down. Porsche used a 2.65L turbo flat-6 engine, but what truly shocked fans in 1983 was its sweep of the first eight spots, an unmatched display of dominance.

Jaguar XJR-9 (1988)

In 1988, the XJR-9 ended Porsche’s winning streak in Group C racing with a strong 7.0L V12 engine. The Castrol-painted body gave it a fast appearance, and smart race planning sealed the win. By skipping a planned fuel stop, the car edged ahead and finished first.

Bentley 4½ Litre (1928)

It didn’t have a supercharger like the famous Blower model, but the Bentley 4½ Litre still won Le Mans in 1928. Drivers even had to stop mid-race to refill the radiator. The car handled rough roads and bad fuel better than its faster sibling.

Talbot-Lago T26 GS (1950)

In 1950, the Talbot-Lago T26 GS shocked the racing world by winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans as a private entry, not from a major company. The 4.5L inline-six under the hood made close to 200 horsepower. French fans loved the car for its performance and postwar symbolism.

Bugatti Type 57G (1937)

Nicknamed “The Tank” for its smooth, closed-off body, Type 57G earned Bugatti’s only overall win at Le Mans in 1937. Built to glide past rivals with balance and stamina, it was powered by a straight-eight engine tuned for endurance and sized at 3.3L.

Ferrari 166 MM (1949)

This compact 2.0L V12 made the little Ferrari a giant. Ferrari’s very first Le Mans victory came in 1949 when Luigi Chinetti drove nearly the entire race himself. The “MM” stood for Mille Miglia, another grueling race it had already conquered.

Porsche 962C (1986, 1987)

Porsche’s 962C was built to survive crashes, not just win races. After new rules pushed drivers’ feet behind the front axle, engineers added a tougher monocoque chassis. It still won Le Mans twice, and even after Porsche left, privateer teams continued to race it and win.

Peugeot 905 (1992, 1993)

The Peugeot 905 made a quick impact before disappearing. Built like a Formula One car, it used a 3.5L V10 and a lightweight carbon-fiber body. In 1993, it swept the podium with a 1-2-3 finish, but Peugeot surprisingly ended the program the following year.

Sauber-Mercedes C9 (1989)

Its twin-turbo 5.0L V8, developed with AMG, gave the C9 serious muscle. Though tire concerns almost kept it out of Le Mans, it got cleared just in time. It charged ahead—hitting 248 mph before chicanes were added—ending Mercedes' 34-year break with a roar.

Bentley 3 Litre (1924)

Bentley’s first Le Mans win came in 1924, thanks to the 3 Litre and its fearless drivers, John Duff and Frank Clement. This tough four-cylinder car outperformed better-funded teams and sparked the Bentley Boys era, a period when fast, stylish British drivers dominated the track.

Ferrari 275P (1963, 1964)

With a 3.3L V12 placed mid-ship, the 275P gave Ferrari back-to-back Le Mans wins. It didn’t have the flash of the 250 GTO, but it handled better. The car remained Ferrari’s top choice for its balance and control until the 330P arrived.

Lagonda M45R Rapide (1935)

Lagonda stunned the field in 1935 by defeating Alfa and Bugatti with the M45R Rapide. The 4.5L Meadows engine powered through to a landmark victory for Britain. A smooth yet durable ride, the car gave the pre-Aston Lagonda brand its first and only Le Mans crown.