Top 10 Le Mans cars

During long and interesting history of the world’s most famous endurance race, there were a lot of fantastic machines on the grid of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Practically, every mayor manufacturer or brand participated in Le Mans at least once in its history.

However, among all those cars there are some of them that are more successful and more memorable than others. So we created the list of Top 10 Le Mans race cars, compiling the 10 cars that created the legacy and legend of Circuit de la Sarthe in chronological order.

10. Bentley Speed Six

Being big and heavy, nobody expected Bentley to win. But, this fabulous car did it two times in a row, in 1929 and 1930, establishing itself as one of  Le Mans legends and marking the start of British racing cars attack on France.

Bentley Speed Six (1928-29)

9. Ferrari 166 MM

This beauty scored first Ferrari win at Le Mans in 1949 what was very important moment for the relatively unknown Italian factory. After this triumph, everything has changed for the Scuderia. In the hands of Luigi Chinetti and Lord Selsdon Ferrari 166 MM proved to be fast and reliable car what already could be seen at another famous endurance races Mille Miglia and Targa Florio in which 166 MM also was the winner.

Ferrari 166 MM

8. Jaguar D-Type 

D-Type could be seen as the first modern Le Mans car. Disc brakes, aerodynamic package and sophisticated engine made this Jaguar unbeatable. This car won prestigious race three times in a row, in 1955, 1956 and 1957, in the hands of like Mike Hawthorn, Ninian Sanderson and Ron Flockhart.

Jaguar D-Type (1955-57)

7. Ford GT40 

Legendary GT 40 was surprise for all racing experts but proved to be fast, durable and dominant. Its four consecutive triumphs (1966-1969) are still one of the most memorable moments in the history of motorsport, especially the one from 1996 when Ford GT40 scored 1-2-3 win at Circuit de la Sarthe.

Ford GT40 (1966)

6. Ferrari 330 P3/P4

GT 40’s nemesis but without much success at Le Mans. The P4 didn’t win 24 Hours of Le Mans but it is the one of the most beautiful car appeared in the legendary race.

Ferrari 330 P3/P4 (1967-69)

5. Porsche 917 

Perfectly constructed and insanely powerful, 917 was the beas which could reach over 400 km/h. Had short racing career but it was extremely successful, including two wins at Le Mans, and later had enormous influence on further developments in motorsport.

Porsche 917 (1970-1971)

4. Porsche 956 

During the eighties, this generation of Porsche cars was dominant in worlds endurance championships and by many is still considered as the best racing car ever. With Jacky Ickx and Derek Bell as drivers, this car won the race in 1982 after leading all 24 hours and in the following three years scored other three victories.

Porsche 956 (1985)

3. Mazda 787B

Fantastic triumph for Mazda and Wankel technology and the myth of race effort that stands to this day. Innovative concept proved to be very successful and this car scored its only Le Mans triumph in 1991, driven by Johnny Herbert, Volker Weidler and Bertrand Gachot.

Mazda 787B (1991)

2. Audi R8 LMP (2000-05)

Start of Audi’s dominance at Le Mans and start of series of fantastic race cars from this manufacturer. From to 2000 to 2005 this cars scored five wins at Le Mans but also conquered the tracks all around the world in many endurance races.

Audi R8 (2000-05)

1 . Audi R18 e-tron quattro

The first and most successful racer of 21st century. Launched in 2012, this car with diesel engine, hybrid systems, perfect aerodynamics and space age technology, immediately became successful and until 2016 has three victories at Le Mans, but also many other wins including two WEC titles.

Audi R18 e-quattro

Photo: autowp.ru