24h Le Mans
L’Épau Abbey on the outskirts of Le Mans was the majestic setting chosen by "Association Jean Rondeau" to unveil the restored Rondeau M382. This car is the very definition of a dream coming true. That of one man, driver and manufacturer Jean Rondeau, who inscribed his name in the legend of the French endurance classic.
In the long line of 24 Hours of Le Mans winners, one name stands out: Jean Rondeau. In 1980, Rondeau triumphed at the end of an iconic race to become the only driver-cum-manufacturer to win at the wheel of a car he designed himself, the M379B. But over and above this unique feat, the native of Le Mans embraced the audacity, ingenuity and passion of those who live and breathe motorsport. Following his tragic death five years later, his achievement continued to inspire young engineers and enthusiasts.
The Rondeau M382 is about to rejoin the track 44 years after its maiden appearance. Association Jean Rondeau, founded by former team members, has undertaken an ambitious restoration programme that the man himself would have been proud of. The aim of the initiative was to revive one of the cars from the Le Mans stable that flew the flag for French creativity in the 1980s.
The project focused on four main objectives:
The presentation of the Rondeau M382 at L’Épau Abbey marked a key step in this human and mechanical adventure. The historic royal abbey proved to be the ideal setting to honour Rondeau’s memory and celebrate the rebirth of his car. The event coincided with the publication of the graphic novel 24 Heures du Mans 1979-1980 – L’enfant du pays (Éditions Glénat), which forcefully recounts this unique moment of local history.
Association Jean Rondeau is more than just restoring a car. It is reviving an important component of 24 Hours of Le Mans heritage. The M382 will return to the track at Le Mans Classic 2025, where she is sure to delight enthusiastic followers of French automotive history. The car made in Le Mans, for Le Mans, is going back to her roots.
