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Le Mans Classic 2016 – Report and Photos

Shelby Cobra 289 1963 PAUL OCHON
Shelby Cobra 289 1963

The 2016 edition of Le Mans Classic was staged 8-10 July at the famed 38-turn, 8.469-mile Circuit de la Sarthe in Le Mans, France. The eighth edition of this biennial event took place in front of more than 120,000 faithful enthusiasts that came to admire the cars that have written the history of the Le Mans 24 Hours.

Le Mans Classic was created in 2002 by Peter Auto and the Automobile Club de l’Ouest to provide a retrospective for lovers of exceptional motor cars that raced in the legendary Le Mans 24 Hours. The first meeting was a big success and since then its renown has grown in leaps and bounds over the events held so far — it has become a must-attend for spectators and participants every two years. This year’s races saw a field of 550 entrants selected by Peter Auto to provide variety and historic consistency among the seven grids of cars that follow one another on the track for the 24 hours.

Among the changes for the 2016 Le Mans Classic was the opening of the circuit on Friday morning for five additional hours of practice session, as well as the Group C race of almost 40 cars. There was also the field of the Jaguar Classic Challenge with 60 cars representing the Coventry make. Victory went to British driver Andy Wallace (19 starts in the Le Mans 24 Hours including outright victory in 1988) at the wheel of the D-Type.

Grid 1 for pre-war cars from 1923 to 1939 kicked off the official start of the 8th Le Mans Classic. At 16:00 American star Pharrell Williams waved the French flag unleashing men and machines on the 13,629-km circuit. The race for the six grids covering the period 1923 to 1981 was under way and would continue into the next day.

Similar to 2010, 2012 and 2014, Sports Car Digest also documented the 2016 Le Mans Classic, with the following great selection of images that capture the cars that have written the history of the Le Mans 24 Hours. We split up the pictures into two galleries. The first gallery starting below features our favorite images, while the second gallery and vintage race results can be found on the last page of the article and gives a comprehensive view of all the photographs.

Le Mans Classic 2016 – Featured Photo Gallery

 

Ferrari 275 GTB/4 1966
Ferrari 275 GTB/4 1966
Shelby Cobra 289 1964
Shelby Cobra 289 1964
Ford GT40 1965
Ford GT40 1965
Pair of Ford GT40s at speed
Pair of Ford GT40s at speed
Chevy Power Duo - Bizzarrini 5300 GT 1965 and Chevrolet Corvette C2 1965
Chevy Power Duo – Bizzarrini 5300 GT 1965 and Chevrolet Corvette C2 1965
Porsche 904-6 GTS 1964
Porsche 904-6 GTS 1964
Jaguar E-Type 3.8L 1963 and Shelby Cobra 289 1962
Jaguar E-Type 3.8L 1963 and Shelby Cobra 289 1962
Ford GT40 1965 'Tesie'
Ford GT40 1965 ‘Tesie’

 

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Le Mans Classic 2016 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Two

 

Running Grid 2 Start - Le Mans Classic 2016
Running Grid 2 Start – Le Mans Classic 2016
Running Grid 2 Start - Le Mans Classic 2016
Running Grid 2 Start – Le Mans Classic 2016
BMW 328 1939
BMW 328 1939
Race Winner - 1939 Talbot-Lago Ex-Monoplace decalee of Spencer and Bruce Trenery
Race Winner – 1939 Talbot-Lago Ex-Monoplace decalee of Spencer and Bruce Trenery
1939 Talbot-Lago Ex-Monoplace decalee
1939 Talbot-Lago Ex-Monoplace decalee
Running Grid 1 Start - Le Mans Classic 2016
Running Grid 1 Start – Le Mans Classic 2016
Grid 1 Start - Le Mans Classic 2016
Grid 1 Start – Le Mans Classic 2016
Gulf Mirage 1973
Gulf Mirage 1973

 

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Le Mans Classic 2016 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Three

 

Chevrolet Corvette C1 1958
Chevrolet Corvette C1 1958
Pair of Porsche 356 Pre-A Coupes
Pair of Porsche 356 Pre-A Coupes
Maserati 300 S 1955
Maserati 300 S 1955
Mercedes-Benz 300 SL 'Gullwing' Coupe 1955
Mercedes-Benz 300 SL ‘Gullwing’ Coupe 1955
Jaguar D-Type 1955 driven by Andy Wallace
Jaguar D-Type 1955 driven by Andy Wallace
Cooper T39 1955
Cooper T39 1955
Grid 2 Start - Le Mans Classic 2016
Grid 2 Start – Le Mans Classic 2016
Peugeot 905 EV1 Bis 1993
Peugeot 905 EV1 Bis 1993

 

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Le Mans Classic 2016 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Four

 

Le Mans Classic 2016
Le Mans Classic 2016
Le Mans Classic 2016
Le Mans Classic 2016
Le Mans Classic 2016
Le Mans Classic 2016
Le Mans Classic 2016
Le Mans Classic 2016
Le Mans Classic 2016
Le Mans Classic 2016
Le Mans Classic 2016
Le Mans Classic 2016
Le Mans Classic 2016
Le Mans Classic 2016
Le Mans Classic 2016
Le Mans Classic 2016

 

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Le Mans Classic 2016 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Five

 

Porsche 936 1982
Porsche 936 1982
Toj SC 304 1976
Toj SC 304 1976
Porsche 935 K3 1979
Porsche 935 K3 1979
Dodge Charger 1974
Dodge Charger 1974
Porsche 936 1982
Porsche 936 1982
Renault Alpine A443 1978
Renault Alpine A443 1978
Ferrari 512 BB LM 1979
Ferrari 512 BB LM 1979
Lancia Beta Gr. V
Lancia Beta Gr. V

 

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Le Mans Classic 2016 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Six

 

Lola T298 BMW 1979
Lola T298 BMW 1979
Inaltera 1976
Inaltera 1976
Ligier JS 2 1973
Ligier JS 2 1973
Lola T286 1976
Lola T286 1976
BMW M1 Procar 1979
BMW M1 Procar 1979
Porsche 917 1969
Porsche 917 1969
Matra 660-01 1971
Matra 660-01 1971
Lola T70 Mk III B 1973
Lola T70 Mk III B 1973

 

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Le Mans Classic 2016 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Seven

 

Renault Alpine A443 1978
Renault Alpine A443 1978
Lola T70 Mk IIIB 1969
Lola T70 Mk IIIB 1969
Ford GT40 1965
Ford GT40 1965
Ford GT40 1965 'Tesie'
Ford GT40 1965 ‘Tesie’
Maserati T63 Birdcage 1961
Maserati T63 Birdcage 1961
Maserati 300 S 1955
Maserati 300 S 1955
Jaguar C-Type 1952
Jaguar C-Type 1952
Jaguar D-Type 1955 driven by Andy Wallace
Jaguar D-Type 1955 driven by Andy Wallace

 

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Le Mans Classic 2016 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Eight

 

Le Mans Classic 2016
Le Mans Classic 2016
Le Mans Classic 2016
Le Mans Classic 2016
Le Mans Classic 2016
Le Mans Classic 2016
Le Mans Classic 2016
Le Mans Classic 2016
Le Mans Classic 2016
Le Mans Classic 2016
Le Mans Classic 2016
Le Mans Classic 2016
Le Mans Classic 2016
Le Mans Classic 2016
Le Mans Classic 2016
Le Mans Classic 2016

 

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Le Mans Classic 2016 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Nine

 

Lola T70 Mk III 1968
Lola T70 Mk III 1968
Ligier JS 3 DFV 1971
Ligier JS 3 DFV 1971
Alpine A210 1966
Alpine A210 1966
Matra 660-01 1971
Matra 660-01 1971
Ferrari 250 LM 1964
Ferrari 250 LM 1964
Jaguar E-Type 3.8L 1962
Jaguar E-Type 3.8L 1962
Ford GT40 1965
Ford GT40 1965
Porsche 356 A 1600 Speedster 1958
Porsche 356 A 1600 Speedster 1958

 

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Le Mans Classic 2016 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Ten

 

Talbot 105 BGH 21 1934
Talbot 105 BGH 21 1934
Grid 5 Race - Le Mans Classic 2016
Grid 5 Race – Le Mans Classic 2016
Grid 5 Race - Le Mans Classic 2016
Grid 5 Race – Le Mans Classic 2016
Ford GT40 1967
Ford GT40 1967
Jaguar E-Type Low Drag Coupe 1963
Jaguar E-Type Low Drag Coupe 1963
Jaguar E-Type and Porsche 911
Jaguar E-Type and Porsche 911
Marcos Mini GT 1965
Marcos Mini GT 1965
Jaguar E-Type 3.8L 1963
Jaguar E-Type 3.8L 1963

 

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Le Mans Classic 2016 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Eleven

 

Grid 4 Race - Le Mans Classic 2016
Grid 4 Race – Le Mans Classic 2016
Lotus XI 1100 1958 and Maserati T63 Birdcage 1961
Lotus XI 1100 1958 and Maserati T63 Birdcage 1961
Lister Costin 1959
Lister Costin 1959
Ford GT40 1965
Ford GT40 1965
Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta 1960
Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta 1960
Morgan Plus 4 1959
Morgan Plus 4 1959
Aston Martin DB4 GT 1960
Aston Martin DB4 GT 1960
Maserati T63 Birdcage 1961
Maserati Tipo 63 Birdcage 1961

 

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Le Mans Classic 2016 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Twelve

 

Le Mans Classic 2016
Le Mans Classic 2016
Le Mans Classic 2016
Le Mans Classic 2016
Le Mans Classic 2016
Le Mans Classic 2016
Le Mans Classic 2016
Le Mans Classic 2016
Le Mans Classic 2016
Le Mans Classic 2016
Le Mans Classic 2016
Le Mans Classic 2016
Le Mans Classic 2016
Le Mans Classic 2016
Le Mans Classic 2016
Le Mans Classic 2016

 

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Le Mans Classic 2016 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Thirteen

 

Porsche 356 Pre-A Coupe 1952
Porsche 356 Pre-A Coupe 1952
BMW 328 1938
BMW 328 1938
Leyton House Porsche 962 1987
Leyton House Porsche 962 1987
Spice SE89C 1989
Spice SE89C 1989
Nissan R90 CK 1990
Nissan R90 CK 1990
Spice SE89C 1989
Spice SE89C 1989
Spice SE90C 1990
Spice SE90C 1990
Toj SC 304 1976
Toj SC 304 1976

 

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Le Mans Classic 2016 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Fourteen

 

Alpine A 220 1968
Alpine A 220 1968
Alfa Romeo T33/3 1969
Alfa Romeo T33/3 1969
Porsche 908/3 1971
Porsche 908/3 1971
Porsche 917 1969
Porsche 917 1969
Porsche 906 1966
Porsche 906 1966
Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Gr.IV Competition 1972
Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Gr.IV Competition 1972
Porsche 908 LH 1968
Porsche 908 LH 1968
Lola T70 Mk IIIB 1969
Lola T70 Mk IIIB 1969

 

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Le Mans Classic 2016 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Fifteen

 

Le Mans Classic 2016
Le Mans Classic 2016
Aston Martin 2-Litre Speed 1937
Aston Martin 2-Litre Speed 1937
Le Mans Classic 2016
Le Mans Classic 2016
Le Mans Classic 2016
Le Mans Classic 2016
Le Mans Classic 2016
Le Mans Classic 2016
Le Mans Classic 2016
Le Mans Classic 2016
Le Mans Classic 2016
Le Mans Classic 2016
Le Mans Classic 2016
Le Mans Classic 2016

 

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Le Mans Classic 2016 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Sixteen

 

Ford GT40 1965
Ford GT40 1965
Shelby Cobra 289 1965
Shelby Cobra 289 1965
Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta 1960
Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta 1960
Aston Martin DB4 GT 1960
Aston Martin DB4 GT 1960
Lister Jaguar 'Flat Iron' 1958
Lister Jaguar ‘Flat Iron’ 1958
Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta 'Breadvan' 1961
Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta ‘Breadvan’ 1961
Chevrolet Corvette C1 1958
Chevrolet Corvette C1 1958
Shelby Cobra 289 1963
Shelby Cobra 289 1963

 

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Le Mans Classic 2016 – Main Photo Gallery (click image for larger picture and description)

 

[nggallery id=924 images=15]

Le Mans Classic 2016 – Last Race Results

Le Mans Classic 2016 – Group C Race
1. Julien PIGUET SPICE SE89C – 1989
2. Eric DE DONCKER SPICE SE90C – 1990
3. Tommy DREELAN/Aaron SCOTT PORSCHE 962 – 1987

Le Mans Classic 2016 – Jaguar Race
1. Julian THOMAS JAGUAR Type E – 1962
2. Carlos MONTEVERDE/Andrew SMITH JAGUAR Type E – 1965
3. Andy WALLACE JAGUAR Type D – 1955

Le Mans Classic 2016 – Grid 1
1. Christian TRABER/Spencer TRENERY TALBOT LAGO Ex Monoplace décalée – 1939
2. Julian BRONSON/Gareth BURNETT TALBOT 105 BGH 21 – 1934
3. Jean-Jacques BALLY/Bertrand LESEUR BMW 328 – 1938

Le Mans Classic 2016 – Grid 2
1. Andy WALLACE JAGUAR Type D – 1955
2. Chris WARD JAGUAR Type C – 1952
3. Nicolas CHAMBON MASERATI 300 S – 1955

Le Mans Classic 2016 – Grid 3
1. Chris WARD LISTER Costin – 1959
2. Steve BROOKS/Patrick BLAKENEY-EDWARDS LISTER Jaguar flat iron – 1958
3. Ivan VERCOUTERE/Andrew WOLFE LOTUS XV – 1959

Le Mans Classic 2016 – Grid 4
1. Shaun LYNN FORD GT40 – 1965
2. Richard MEINS FORD GT40 – 1967
3. Ludovic CARON SHELBY Cobra 289 – 1963

Le Mans Classic 2016 – Grid 5
1. Bernard THUNER LOLA T70 Mk III – 1968
2. Eric DE DONCKER LOLA T70 Mk III B – 1969
3. Toni SEILER LOLA T70 Mk III – 1968

Le Mans Classic 2016 – Grid 6
1. Ulrich SCHUMACHER/Marco WERNER PORSCHE 936 – 1982
2. Patrice LAFARGUE LOLA T298 BMW – 1979
3. Carlos BARBOT LOLA T280 DFV – 1972

 

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[Source: Peter Auto]