From its first appearance in 1951 to the win missed by a hair in 1969, Porsche's rise was methodical, peppered with great performances achieved at a consistent pace.

1951-1952 - The first Porsche to take the start at the 24 Hours of Le Mans was driven by two French drivers. At the wheel of their 356 SL, Edmond Mouche and Auguste Veuillet finished 20th and first in the 1,100cm3 class. They returned the following year, climbing to 11th place overall.

1955 - With the 550 RS Spyder which appeared in 1954, Porsche entered the top 5 thanks to Johnny Claes-Pierre Stasse (4th), followed by Zora Arkus Duntov-Gustave Olivier (5th) and Jaroslav Juhan-Helm Glockler (6th).

1958 - First overall podium thanks to the 718 RSK of Jean Behra-Hans Herrmann, followed by Eddie Barth-Paul Frère (4th) and Carel Godin de Baufort-Herbert Linge (5th).

1966 (1) - Though the 24 Hours of Le Mans was gearing up for a new episode of the Ferrari-Ford duel, Porsche presented its first prototype. Behind a trio of Ford Mk IIs, this 906 achieved a beautiful formation finish thanks to Jo Siffert-Colin David (4th), Hans Herrmann-Herbert Linge (5th), Udo Schütz-Peter de Klerk (6th) and Günther Klass-Rolf Stommelen (7th).

1966 (2) - This 34th edition also saw the first appearance of the 911 at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The only unit at the start, driven by Jean Kerguen and Jacques Dewes, finished 14th.

1968 - Porsche clinched its first pole position at the 24 Hours of Le Mans thanks to Swiss driver Jo Siffert, but the new 908 he shared with Hans Herrmann was forced to retire due to a clutch problem. Jochen Neerpasch and Rolf Stommelen brought it to third place, behind the 907 LH of Rico Steinemann-Dieter Spoerry.

1969 (1) - Very powerful but difficult to drive, the 917 made headlines at its first appearance at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Rolf Stommelen and Kurt Ahrens started from pole position, Vic Elford and Richard Attwood were forced to retire after 21 hours of racing though they were leading by 80 kilometers. Final victory was near...and came the next year. In the meantime, the race ended in a stunning duel between Jacky Ickx's Ford and Hans Herrmann's 908, beaten by only a few meters under the checkered flag.

1969 (2) - The Porsche 911 reached the top 10 for the first time at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, with the 10th place finish for Jean-Pierre Gaban and Yves Deprez.

1969 (3) - The actor Steve McQueen attended that 37th edition as a very interested spectator: he had come to do location scouting for the movie he would film in the area the following year, with a secret ambition - unfortunately thwarted by his insurers - to participate in the race at the wheel of a 917 shared with Jackie Stewart.

Jean-Philippe Doret / ACO - Translation by Nikki Ehrhardt / ACO

Photo: LE MANS (SARTHE, FRANCE), CIRCUIT DES 24 HEURES, 24 HOURS OF LE MANS, SATURDAY & SUNDAY JUNE 21 & 22 1958. Porsche claimed its first podium finish at the 24 Hours of Le Mans thanks to this 718 RSK driven by Jean Behra (here at the wheel) and Hans Herrmann. Twelve years later, Herrmann gave the German manufacturer its first win, along with Richard Attwood.