Miguel Sánchez
In one of the most iconic scenes at Le Mans, a brooding Steve McQueen he spits with a look of sober resignation at the female character that "Racing is life". Aside from being a superb actor when it comes to playing self-sacrificing solitaires, McQueen turned out to be a racing car enthusiast at a time when some of the most exciting classics of all time were forged.
En Le Mans, a film that almost cost him the economy, health and life -he was looking for the best shots camera in hand with his body on the asphalt while the cars combed his bangs at 300 km / h- He managed to combine both passions within a cult film capable of recreating the excitement of what is possibly the most iconic circuit race of all time together with some F1 GPs such as Monza or Monaco.
Such are the passions raised by Le Mans that the list of winning cars orchestrates a pantheon of dreams where any motor enthusiast - from the one who likes the oldest iron to the lover of the latest innovation - can be recognized in one of the 89 models that have continued the legend since 1923. Now Budget Direct has collected them through 90 seconds. Which one do you prefer?
WINNERS OF THE 24 HOURS LE MANS: EUROPEAN PREDOMINATION
Since in 1923 a Chenard-Walcker - luckily for the eternal French chauvinism it is a Gallic brand - the predominance of European manufacturers during the first period was undeniable. Of course, as long as we start from the basis that the autonomous by sailor Kingdom of Great Britain is a truly European territory; the yoke of the mythical Bentley is undeniable during the 20s until in 1931 ... The first winning Alfa Romeo appeared.
After this there are British mentions thanks to brands such as Lagonda, Aston Martin or Jaguar but after World War II the red dominance becomes undeniable. After all, that intrepid driver trained in Alfa Romeo began to bet heavily on cars where everything was at the service of winning races. We talk, of course, about Enzo Ferrari; whose team was released as a winner in 1949 - only two years after the 125S saw the light - thanks to the small 166MM V12.
Then the 50s and 60s would come with the struggles between the house of the "cavallinos”And the Anglo-Saxon world; first for the rivalry with the vibrant Jaguar D-Type and later for the epic fights with a Ford that together with his GT40 a first-rate human and technical team arrived at the European races.
Already in the 70s and 80s the turn came for a Porsche that had climbed from 356 to produce some of the models that - according to the pilots themselves - have been the most exciting in the entire history of this endurance race: the 917, 936 y 956. Perhaps the last great icons of Le Mans before the arrival of more digital technologies until the appearance of hybrid technology in recent years.
AND YOU ... WHICH ONE WOULD YOU STAY WITH?
And since we're doing this quick review… Let's go with a little game: Which do you prefer? If you are here it is because you like the classics, so we would be surprised if one of our readers chose one of the phenomenal Audi who ruled over the test during the 90's. Although… You never know.
For our part, we have to confess that we have been with a broken chest. Those Bentleys take us back to a world of true epic on four wheels; the Alfa Romeo could not be more mythical; the Ferrari 250 LM from 1965 we are passionate about it ... But we must admit that as you read testimonials from drivers and mechanics ... El Porsche 917 perhaps it is the most iconic and defining car of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Besides, you already know: we don't know how to say no to Steve McQueen.
PS: Take a look at the models and write us which one is your favorite in the comments. It can be a heated debate!
PS 2: Do you want to see these colossi in action? Read our chronicle of Le Mans Classic!
