Introduction

The 24 Hours of Le Mans is one of the most prestigious automobile races in the world. Since its inception in 1923, it has been a platform for automakers to showcase their prowess in endurance and innovation. This blog post will take you on a journey through the history of this iconic race, focusing on the le mans model cars that have claimed victory over the years.

The Early Years (1923-1939)

The inaugural race was won by André Lagache and René Léonard driving a Chenard & Walcker. However, it was Bentley that dominated the early years, winning five out of six races from 1924 to 1930. The Bentley Speed Six, in particular, was a standout model during this era.

Alfa Romeo and Bugatti also made their mark during this period. The Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 LM emerged victorious in 1931 and 1932, while Bugatti's Type 35B clinched victory in 1937.

Post-War Era (1949-1969)

After World War II, Ferrari began to establish itself as a force to be reckoned with at Le Mans. The Italian automaker won nine times between 1949 and 1965. The Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa was particularly successful, winning three times between 1958 and 1961.

However, it was Ford that stole the show during this era with its GT40 model claiming four consecutive victories from 1966 to 1969. This period marked an intense rivalry between Ford and Ferrari which led to some of the most exciting races in Le Mans history.

The Rise of Porsche (1970-1998)

Porsche entered the fray in the '70s and quickly became a dominant force at Le Mans. The German automaker's first win came in 1970 with its iconic Porsche 917K model driven by Hans Herrmann and Richard Attwood.

Porsche continued its dominance throughout the '80s with models like the Porsche 956 and Porsche962C winning multiple times. By the end of this era, Porsche had amassed an impressive total of sixteen victories at Le Mans.

Audi’s Reign (2000-2014)

At the turn of the millennium, Audi took over as kingpin at Le Mans with its R8 model winning five out of six races from 2000 to 2005. Audi continued its dominance with models like R10 TDI, R15 TDI plus and R18 e-tron quattro securing multiple wins up until their last win in2014.

Recent Years (2015-Present)

In recent years, we've seen a resurgence from Porsche with their hybrid model -919 Hybrid securing three consecutive wins from2015-2017. Toyota has also made its mark with TS050 Hybrid clinching victory thrice consecutively since2018 till date.

Conclusion

From Bentley's early dominance to Audi's reign at the turn of millennium; each era has seen different automakers rise to prominence through innovation and endurance. These le mans model cars are not just winners; they are symbols of technological advancement that have shaped automotive history over decades.

Collecting these le mans model cars can be an exciting hobby for motorsport enthusiasts offering them a piece of racing history right on their shelves or display cabinets. Whether you're an avid collector or just starting your collection journey; these models represent some of finest engineering marvels that have graced Circuit de la Sarthe over years making them must-haves for any collection.

Remember each car tells a story – one filled with triumphs, challenges overcome and sometimes heartbreaking near misses – all part of thrilling world that is endurance racing at Le Mans.