A day @ Le Mans Classic 2023

8 July, 20232 yr

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Hi guys,

As said here, I had the chance to replace someone who could not go to Le Mans Classic last week-end.

We were there from 10:30 AM to 6:40 PM. 12km walking and roughly 430 pics ! I had the chance to access to paddocks (but not to the pit lane), and sincerely, what a day !

The show was so tremendous, that I can't resist to share you some of my pics. :AP-Smiles_u1F60D:

DKW Monza 1957 / 3 cyl 1000cm3

To keep on with German cars: Porsche 904

Porsche 550 being repaired / tuned ? No less than 2 mechanics under the engine / gearbox!

Porsche 356 (in concours conditions :AP-Smiles_u1F929: , all was like brand new!)

And this version with a special fairing for Endurance races had nothing to envy the previous one:

A 911 2.0

A Porsche 917 driving to the pre-grid, a former Le Mans winner

A Mercedes 300SL 1954 with seagull doors , which was a former Le Mans and also Carrera Panamericana racer:

Let's have a look to American cars now. One of the numerous Ford GT40:

Another one here, close to a recent Ford GT :

Two of the numerous AC Cobra too:

Some British ones now, starting with one of the many Jaguar E-Type 3,8l which made the trip to this event:

Have a look to the rudimentary cabin venting system!

Also a fantastic Jaguar D-Type with its shark fin:

A small nod to moviegoers by the way:

More recent, the Ferrari 2023 edition winner, with its multitude of carbon appendages

After race cars, some 'normal' cars:

Among them, this amazing and very worked Delage

The Mc Laren corner (I wasn't able to count all the £Millions lined up :AP-Smiles_u1F602: ) !!!

Among them, this Mc Laren F1 GTR whose cockpit has nothing to envy the aircraft industry (especially with all its connectors):

Some French ones anyway: R8 Gordini

or Alpine Berlinette (with their descendants, contemporary A110s in the background)

One of the 8-10 Pantera De Tomaso in the event:

A quick look on the pre-grid for the 20s-30s category race, which was almost a one-type race and even a one-brand race, so numerous were the Bentleys!

This one in the background had a very thin worked radiator cap, but I wasn't able to define what it represented for sure (a contortionist?).

I didn't have the opportunity to see other races but these Bentley drivers were not playing at all, they were real competitors "with a knife between teeth" (suction, intimidation to overtake in the curve interior in the braking zones. Fantastic show!)
On one hand astounding to see the 'fights' given the price of these cars (we said to ourselves: How sick they are, did they forget the price of these cars :AP-Smiles_u1F631: ?) and on the other hand, so exciting to see how they simply make them "live" by driving them the way they should be :AP-Smiles_u1F603: !
Thinking about it, I wonder whether I finally prefer to see them like that, rather than in a museum remaining parked :AP-Smiles_u1F914: ...

Some Porsche 911 from all generations as far as eye can see!

A 1974 BMW 3,0 CSL which raced at Le Mans :

A rare BMW Z8 and another magnificent 3,0 CSL in the background:

A Maserati Sebring (escorted by 2 Ghibli) absolutely splendid in concours condition. Really stunning, including the dashboard and the interior.

One can also notice this 3200 GT in the background with its beautiful "boomerang"-like rear lights, which had to be quickly replaced by much more common rear lights to meet approval requirements of the US authorities... :AP-Smiles_u1F644:

The sacred beast: Aston Martin DB5! Needless to say it's ultra classy! I'm really a big fan :AP-Smiles_u1F929:

More exotic, there was a "Hot rods" corner. This one was probably the most exuberant:

At least, you can't miss the gas pedal :AP-Smiles_u1F602: !

A rare Chevrolet Corvette C2 in split Window version (only on MY 1964!)

An equally rare Chevrolet Corvette C1 '61, which had something really special: a Corvette C2 back end!

I really thank the owner, who kindly hold the bonnet when he saw that I was taking a picture of the engine. Happiness of being among enthusiasts, glad to share :AP-Smiles_20: !