“Official” Le Mans Race Control cars (1): 1923-1949
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“Official” Le Mans Race Control cars (1): 1923-1949

Manufacturers have always been proud to showcase their latest technological developments at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. For marques selected as official supplier of Race Control cars, it is quite simply an honour. We take a look back through the history of these cars, beginning with the period from 1923 to 1949.

Since the very beginning of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the greatest marques have sought the prestigious title of “official” car supplier. Period photographs reveal that French motoring press baron Charles Faroux – the 24 Hours race director from the inaugural 1923 edition to 1956 – was particularly fond of beautiful cars, and rightly so!

Few souvenirs remain from the twenties other than this magnificent Bentley, pictured before the start in 1929 and driven by Woolf Barnato. The first three-time winner of the 24 Hours (1928-29-30) was one of the “Bentley Boys” who scored the British manufacturer’s four consecutive wins from 1927 to 1930.

For the legendary races in the early part of the following decade, local champion Guy Bouriat chauffeured the officials to their vantage points, via the racetrack, in a Bugatti Type 49. A Bugatti Royale even graced the Le Mans circuit for the 1928 Grand Prix.

In the years before and after the Second World War, the Automobile Club de l’Ouest favoured the home nation’s great marques: a Delage D8 and a Delahaye convertible for the winners’ lap of honour – far classier than the 1970 dumper trucks!

Before we leap forward to the seventies, however, let’s turn our focus to the 1950s – in the second part of the series.

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