The climax to the 2016 edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans was worthy of the finest Hitchcock thriller. It was one of those endings which continue to build the legend of this unique race. We have delved into the history books to bring you a few more.

1933 – All-Italian last-lap tussle

In 1933, Luigi Chinetti and Tazio Nuvolari fought an intense, fiercely disputed battle in the finest machine of the day – the Alfa Romeo 8C. As the race reached its conclusion, both men were in the same lap. Chinetti’s car was a little less tired than Nuvolari’s which had had a leaky fuel tank repaired with chewing gum and soap! Nuvolari nonetheless surprised Chinetti just before Mulsanne Corner. Chinetti remained in his rival’s slipstream with plans to regain the upper hand at Arnage. Alas, he braked late, spun and set off again, still in second. Maison Blanche would be his last chance.

He was about to pull off a successful overtaking manoeuvre when he was forced to brake sharply. A troubled competitor was limping home on his line. Chinetti had to settle for the runner-up spot, 401 metres behind Il Campionissimo who later reprimanded him: “What were you playing at? You should have won with your car!”

Swallowing his resentment, Chinetti retorted that his sponsor was nonetheless going to reward him handsomely, having witnessed the desperate manoeuvre that should have brought him victory. Chinetti then claimed: “Anyway, I’ve become closely acquainted with a lady this weekend. She’s the wife of one of the commentators. While we can hear him talking, we know we’ll be left alone!”

1977 – Jürgen Barth, the slow-motion triumph

As we saw in the greatest recoveries, Jacky Ickx unquestionably ran a remarkable race but almost flogged his Porsche to death. With barely an hour to go, a piston gave up the ghost. The decision was taken to disconnect it and wait until there was just enough time to cross the finish line within the required limit. This meant leaving the garage ten minutes beforehand, crossing the line before 4.00 p.m. and completing a final lap in less than four times the qualifying time.

Jürgen Barth, a Porsche works driver and engineer, was handed the task of coaxing the car home amid the suspense. With a stopwatch taped to the steering wheel hub for assistance, Barth remained as cool as a cucumber as the clock ticked down.

This dramatic finish made victory all the sweeter and, for the first time in history, the race was won by a three-man crew, one of whom had started the race in a different car. 

1980 – David versus Goliath

This was the year that Jean Rondeau and his 15 skilled companions took on the might of 1200 Porsche engineers. The minnows were coping admirably until, with just two hours to go, Rondeau spun in the torrential rain at the Dunlop chicane, miraculously missing the barriers.

However, the starter solenoid had been showing signs of fatigue for a few stints. The adventure depended on it holding out a little while longer. At the nth attempt, the engine roared back to life and Rondeau finished his stint exhausted. Jean-Pierre Jaussaud was in better shape and set off on what was to be a triumphal march. Alas, the rain seemed intent on thwarting the plan.

Jaussaud made a mistake coming out of Arnage, aquaplaned for 300 metres, and stalled. At the third time of asking, the starting motor responded and Jaussaud set away again, treading on eggshells as his cars was still shod in slicks. The gamble paid off and the miracle happened, concluding one of the finest pages in the history of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Photo: ACO Archives

Read about other moments of grace at the 24 Hours of Le Mans that occurred during the opening laps.

Read also about the greatest recoveries in Le Mans history.