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28/08/2025 11:05 am
The 1923 24 Hours of Le Mans, officially the 24 Hours Grand Prix of Endurance, was the first ever Le Mans race and took place on 26 and 27 May 1923.
A strong field of twenty manufacturers entered, all from France aside from a single Bentley from Great Britain and a pair of Excelsiors from Belgium.
In a rain-soaked race it was the Chenard-Walcker team and the Bentley that set the pace, chased by the smaller 2-litre Bignan.
The Bentley was delayed by stones smashing a headlight and puncturing the fuel tank, and in the end the Chenard-Walckers of René Léonard / André Lagache and Christian Dauvergne / Raoul Bachmann had a comfortable 1–2 victory.
However, there was no official victory for this first Le Mans 24 hour race as it was just the first of three consecutive annual races, for the Rudge-Whitworth Triennial Cup.
The ultimate winner after the third race in 1925 was the small 1.1-litre Salmson of Desvaux/Casse.
All cars had to be standard four-seater production models, except those under 1100cc which could be two-seaters where at least thirty cars had been built.
The vehicle had to carry 60 kg lead ballast for each passenger space aside from the driver.
A maximum of two drivers were allowed (but not riding together), and they alone could replenish the fluids (petrol, oil and water), although there was no minimum distance between refills as in later years.
The fuel was to be supplied by the ACO. Engines had to be turned off at pit-stops, and only re-started with an onboard starter.
All cars had to have standard touring equipment, such as wheel wings, hood (if a convertible), running boards, headlights, a rear-view mirror and "warning devices" (horn). None of the entered cars had window-wipers.
I currently have two 1/43 models of this car.
Chenard & Walker "Sport" - Number 9, Winner Le Mans 1923 by MCM of France. A manufacturer hand built white metal model.
Chenard & Walker "Sport" - Number 9, Winner Le Mans 1923 by IXO.
28/08/2025 12:58 pm
Excellent presentation David. I love the LeMans 24 Hours. And love your 102 year old winner's models.
28/08/2025 1:11 pm
"...and love your 102-year-old winner's models."
...good point. It seems as soon as man could drive, man wanted to race! 🤨 😐
- Nice post David, cool little replica. 😎 😎
28/08/2025 3:40 pm
I love the history, the model and your pics, David.
29/08/2025 10:33 am
Here's one more, by Spark in their Le Mans winner series. Note the blue wheels, with the fronts having slightly fewer spokes. The restored car that parades in vintage displays has black wheels, as do both of David's models. The period photos are pretty grainy, and for anyone who has developed B&W film, subject to manipulation (we've all seen the 1911 Marmon Wasp that is dark in most photos but presumably was yellow as it is today). Spark is not usually prone to historical errors so I wonder what their info source was.
This post was modified 8 months ago by Harv Goranson
Topic starter
29/08/2025 11:04 am
Interesting point about the wheels Harv. Spark research is excellent so they may very well be correct. This Spark is a model that I have not got so far. In my early models, I note quite a few colour variations and roof colours. All the early photographs were black and white and early surviving cars have often been restored several times, not always as originally run.
I love the early days at Le Mans and will add a few more posts if there is enough interest.
Karl Schnelle and Tony Perrone reacted
30/08/2025 8:57 am
Loving this history and the sweet pics!
John Bono
North Jersey
Tony Perrone and David Green reacted