The legendary cars of Le Mans
#1
Posted 02 February 2013 - 11:33
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#2
Posted 02 February 2013 - 12:44
#3
Posted 02 February 2013 - 12:49
Edited by sterling49, 02 February 2013 - 12:53.
#4
Posted 02 February 2013 - 14:30
Given that the poll was based on one car per decade, it's difficult to fault any of the choices. As it's Le Mans rather than sports car racing, the choice of the D-Type for the fifties is justifiable; but had it been based on sports car racing as a whole, the choice would have to be a Ferrari - either the Testa Rossa or one of the big V12s from mid-decade. I suspect the shortlist was drawn from the overall winners - otherwise consistent class winners such as the Porsche RS, DB Panhard (class plus Index of Performance) and Lotus Elite (for its Index of Thermal Efficiency wins as well as dominating of its class) - or even the Aston Martin DB3S - would also be contenders for the 1950s.LEGEND OF LE MANS VOTE WINNERS
1920s Bentley Speed 6
1930s Alfa Romeo 8C
1940s Ferrari 166MM
1950s Jaguar D-type
1960s Ford GT40
1970s Porsche 917K
1980s Porsche 956
1990s Mazda 787B and Peugeot 905
2000s Audi R10 TDI
2010s Audi R18 e-tron quattro
Edit: Just to say I picked the fifties as an example and the same applies to other decades
Edited by D-Type, 04 February 2013 - 17:08.
#5
Posted 02 February 2013 - 14:56
I'm inclined to agree, although I think a Matra should have been the '70s representative. As there was only one race in the '40s, perhaps they could have lumped 1949 in with the '50s and then had an additional 'floating' award for the greatest car not already selected as a decade representative.Given that the poll was based on one car per decade, it's difficult to fault any of the choices.
Edited by Tim Murray, 02 February 2013 - 14:57.
#6
Posted 02 February 2013 - 15:15
I'm inclined to agree, although I think a Matra should have been the '70s representative.
Porsche 917 vs Matra? I can't even remember the number of the Matra. A list of Le Mans legends without the 917?
#7
Posted 02 February 2013 - 15:46
Edited by Tim Murray, 02 February 2013 - 15:47.
#8
Posted 04 February 2013 - 13:02
#9
Posted 04 February 2013 - 14:51
For my money the 3 litre Bentley is more worthy of the "legendary" bit than the Speed Six. Both won twice, but Benjafield and Davis won in a car that covered most of the race in a barely roadworthy, let alone raceworthy, condition after the White House crash wheras the Speeds Six had normal races. Moreover a 3 litre ran in the inaugural Le Mans as a private entry and finished fifth
#10
Posted 04 February 2013 - 15:41
While the light weight Mazda 787B ran a good race other than the novelty Wankel motor is there any reason why that was chosen ?
#11
Posted 04 February 2013 - 15:59
#12
Posted 05 February 2013 - 07:05
And one of the Speed Six wins was in 1930.I'm no fan of lists like this, and therefore shouldn't join in really but. . .
For my money the 3 litre Bentley is more worthy of the "legendary" bit than the Speed Six. Both won twice, but Benjafield and Davis won in a car that covered most of the race in a barely roadworthy, let alone raceworthy, condition after the White House crash wheras the Speeds Six had normal races. Moreover a 3 litre ran in the inaugural Le Mans as a private entry and finished fifth
#13
Posted 05 February 2013 - 08:37
A pedant he say that 1930 is the last year of the 1920s decade.And one of the Speed Six wins was in 1930.
#14
Posted 05 February 2013 - 09:27
#15
Posted 05 February 2013 - 09:39
#16
Posted 05 February 2013 - 21:32
It's too early to say what is the great car of this decade....2010s Audi R18 e-tron quattro
#17
Posted 06 February 2013 - 18:15
Well, it won't be the Deltawing.It's too early to say what is the great car of this decade.
#18
Posted 06 February 2013 - 21:02
What about the Porsche 911 and variants...
If I think of Porsche at Le Mans, the 917, 936 and 956/962 come to mind, and then I'm struggling. I know the 935 won, but I never really associate the 911 with Le Mans.