The centenary celebrations of the Le Mans 24 Hours will continue later this month at Salon Privé with a display of five famous cars that have graced the event over the years. Held at the palatial grounds of Blenheim Palace from August 30 to September 2, Salon Privé is one of the most anticipated events in the motoring calendar and plays host to an array of cars, both modern and classic. In an extra special addition for Le Mans fans, guests will be able to inspect the cars up close to have their own Le Mans experience. Let’s take a look at the cars in question.

1985 Porsche 962 004

Built in 1985 and the last of three new Rothmans factory Porsche 962s to debut at the Le Mans 24 Hours, the car was driven by 1983 winners Al Holbert and Vern Schuppan, along with ex-F1 star John Watson. Running well in the race and keeping up with the winning Joest 956, it ultimately retired with three hours remaining due to an engine issue. Making a return three years later in the 1986 event, a pole position finish from Jochen Mass raised expectations again, alongside Bob Wollek and Vern Schuppan,  before another retirement whilst in second place curtailed their chances. A final attempt at glory in 1988 saw an excellent fifth place finish and in total, a record eight Group C Le Mans winning drivers all raced this chassis in a period across four consecutive seasons

1988 Porsche 962 200

The second of the three bespoke Richard Lloyd Racing 962s campaigned by the team, 962 200 featured a unique honeycomb and carbon chassis designed by Nigel Stroud. Built specifically for Derek Bell for the 1988 season, the car managed a fourth place on its debut, a fastest lap at Spa and a podium finish at the Tampa World Challenge. The following season, Tiff Needell steered it to a second-place finish at Silverstone, before joining Bell and James Weaver at the 1989 Le Mans 24 Hours. Running in seventh place, an oil leak put a stop to their race with only two hours to go.

1993 Jaguar XJ220C #002

In 1993, three XJ220 competition cars were built by Tom Walkinshaw Racing (TWR) and pulling together a star driver lineup of David Coulthard, David Brabham and John Neilsen, expectations for the Le Mans race were high. During the race, two XJ220s were running first and second after three hours and managing to maintain a consistent pace out in front. A high speed blow out saw one limp back to the pits before the remaining XJ220 crossed the line first in class, two laps ahead of the nearest class rival. In a controversial Le Mans moment, a technicality saw the car later disqualified due to a lack of catalytic converters. Although this had been raised pre-race, they were not required for the IMSA class in which the car was entered. TWR appealed and although the FIA upheld the appeal, it was deemed to be “out of time”.

1995 Porsche 993 GT2R

Built in 1995 by Porsche Motorsport at Weissach, the 993 GT2R was the customer race version of the highly regarded 993 GT2 homologation car. It was delivered to French lawyer and now permanent chairman of the panel of stewards for the FIA WEC, Jean-François Veroux. A privateer driver with sponsorship from Sodimail, Veroux participated in the 1995 Le Mans 24 Hours alongside Didier Orton and Eric van de Vyver. The race was ultimately won and dominated by the McClaren F1 GTRs, but the French trio managed a credible 16th overall finish and fifth in class, also being the second Porsche to cross the line. The car was retired in 1996 after appearances at Silverstone, Le Mans and Paul Ricard in the BPR series, only returning to contest the Spa 24 Hour races in 2001 and 2002. It can now be bought as a road registered car in France, Belgium and the UK.

2011 Ferrari 458 GTA #2826

Sitting alongside its Le Mans-winning sister car as one of the most successful Ferrari GT2 works cars in existence, the 458 GTE #2826 has had its fair share of success. Works drivers Giancarlo Fisichella and Gianmaria Bruni managed six wins in 2011 in the debut year of the new 458 GTE, including 1,000km of Spa, 6 hours of Silverstone and the 12 Hour of Petit Le Mans. Wearing the now iconic #51 and joined by Toni Vilander, the car came second in class at the 2011 Le Mans 24 Hours, finishing on the same lap as the winning Corvette in a tantalising battle. A second full season came in the following year and the team returned to Le Mans, recording sixth in class and as the second highest placed Ferrari.

“We’re delighted to continue the celebrations for 100 years of the Le Mans 24 Hours with our own expertly curated display of legendary cars,” said Salon Privé co-founder and director David Bagley. “All these cars have colourful stories and I’m sure our guests will enjoy seeing them up close and capturing their powerful potency, sharing no doubt on social media, to continue the celebration of 100 years of Le Mans!”

Keep an eye on Driven for more Salon Privé news and the important dates for your diary are listed below.

Salon Privé Week 2023
30 August – Salon Privé Concours 
31 August – Salon Privé Concours 
1 September – Salon Privé Ladies’ Day 
2 September – Salon Privé Supercar Saturday & Club Trophy
Tickets can be purchased via the website: www.salonpriveconcours.com

Words: Mike Booth
Pictures: Salon Privé