Photo : DR - Archives ACO

The interesting aspect of Grid 2 is to feature pre-World War II designs and cars of the 1940s with a lot of technical improvements.

The first 24 Hours competed after World War II in 1949 gathered street cars and other specifically designed for racing, like the Renault 4 CV and the D-Type Jaguar. Renault did not want to enter the 24 Hours with a popular car like the 4 CV. Windmill owner Camille Hardy demonstrated its potential, although he could not finish the race, so the factory decided to develop it for the 24 Hours. Aston Martin also showed great promises before World War II, and their GTs rapidly proved competitive. The T26 by Talbot could compete in Grand Prix and in the Le Mans 24 Hours as well, with the addition of wings and lights on the wheels.

Jaguar was the winning car manufacturer in this period, scoring 4 victories, with the C-Type (and the appearance of disc brakes) and D-Type. The coming of many other makes like Austin Healey, Frazer Nash, Cooper, Triumph, AC Bristol and Lotus made this renewal very exciting. The French manufacturers specialized in low-displacement cars with great success, thanks to DB Panhard and Monopole. Not to forget the birth of radial tyres on a Lancia in 1953, Briggs Cunningham and his Cadillacs, Fiat, Skoda, the famous Mercedes 300 SL and the beautiful Alfa Romeos.