Le Mans Classic 2016 - Plateau 1 - 1923 to 1939

The winning 1939 Talbot-Lago leaves the pre-grid early on Sunday morning.  This was a pre-war GP car that was converted into a 2 seater sports car and competed at Le Mans in the early fifties. It was rather faster than the other cars in this plateau.

The first Le Mans 24 hours was held in 1923 and was held every year up to the start of WW2 except for 1936.  Between 1924 and 1930 Bentley won 5 times whilst Alfa Romeo won four times in a row between 1931 and 1935.  French marques became successful in the three years preceding WW2.

Work being done in the paddock on the 1934 Talbot 105 of Hinderer/Stretton

1929 Bentley 4.5L Blower of J.Ernst

Preperation in the paddock on one of the thirties BMWs

The 1930 Riley Brooklans of Potter and Standing.

1936 Delage D6-70  Special

The 1935 Aston Martin Ulster of E.Bradley

This wonderful vintage Bentley 3 litre Special that the works team raced at le Mans in 1925 took time at the Le Mans start to put the convertible top up which is what it would have been required to do in period.  Fantastic!   One of my favourite parts of the day and they finished 22nd on scratch.  Well done to Messrs Turner and Medcalf.

Bentley Detail

Aston Martin leads Bugatti out of the Esses.

A lovely 1934 Alvis Speed 20 being worked on in the paddock.

The eighth place 1934 Talbot AV 105 Alpine of Schaefer and Brandt.

The 1934 Talbot 105 that finished second in the hands of Bronson and Burnett.  

The third placed 1938 BMW 328 of Bally/Leeseur.

The magnificent 1937 Lagonda LG 45 that finished in fourth place.  Lagonda of course won Le Mans in 1935.

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