Though there were two Peugeots at the 1926 edition (retirement), the French manufacturer's history at the 24 Hours of Le Mans truly began in 1937.

A Peugeot dealer since 1923, the year the 24 Hours began, Emile Darl'mat (1892-1970) started customizing the 201, 301 and 601 coupes and convertibles in his Parisian workshops, sold much cheaper than the big sports cars of the 1930s...to the point Peugeot decided to integrate them into its line in 1934.

This success convinced the French marque to authorize Emile Darl'mat to build a small series of what would become the 402 Spéciale Sport, in coupe, convertible and roadster. On the advice of his friend, driver André de Cortanze (who later became a race director at the 24 Hours of Le Mans), he decided to enter the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

In 1937, the three cars entered all made it to the checkered flag at the 14th edition of the 24 Hours, and in the top 10 no less, with seventh place (Marcel Contet-Jean Pujol), eighth (Charles de Cortanze-Maurice Serre) and 10th (Louis Rigal-Daniel Porthault).

The following year, three 402s took the start, with the same drivers at the wheel in slightly modified line-ups. Though Rigal-Pujol and Porthault-Serre were forced to retire, Charles de Cortanze and Marcel Contet improved upon their 1937 performance with fifth place.

After British domination by Bentley (1927-1930) then Italian by Alfa Romeo (1931-1934), the late 1930s heralded a re-emergence for French constructors, with victories for Bugatti (1937-1939) and Delahaye (1938), and the presence in the top 10 of Delage, Talbot Lago and Peugeot during that period. But the momentum would be interrupted by the outbreak of World War II.

Peugeot wouldn't make it to the top at the 24 Hours of Le Mans until 1991...but that's another story, to be continued in the next installment!

Photo: Seventh, the car driven by Marcel Contet and Jean Pujol led the Peugeot 402's trifecta in the top 10 at the 1937 24 Hours of Le Mans.