Though Peugeot fielded two Peugeot 174Ss in the fourth running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1926, the French manufacturer didn't truly find its stride until a decade later, and thanks to Émile Darl’mat.

A car body supplier until becoming a Peugeot dealer in 1923 (the year of the first 24 Hours), Darl'mat fabricated custom car bodies for 201, 301 ande 601 coupes and convertibles, appealing to clients looking for originality at low prices...and also Peugeot, who chose to include them in its line.

Darl’mat even obtained the authorisation to produce a limited series of what would become the Peugeot 402 Spéciale Sport. This incited the interest of one of the dealer's friends, Charles de Cortanze, who encouraged him to field the car in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

In 1937, the first participation in the race for the Peugeot 402 Spéciale Sport, the three in the start were also those of Charles de Cortanze. He finished eighth that year along with Maurice Serre. The other two Peugeots finished in the top 10, with Marcel Contet/Jean Pujol and Daniel Porthault/Louis Rigal, seventh and 10th, respectively.

In 1938, while the other two cars entered by Emile Darl’mat ended in retirements, de Cortanze was at the wheel of the only Peugeot to reach the chequered flag. Along with Marcel Contet he finished fifth and won his class.

Charles de Cortanze took the start in the 24 Hours a third and final time in 1953 with a Talbot Lago (retirement). Thereafter, he became the first director of the Bugatti circuit there since day one (1965-1966) through 1968-1969, and also held the post of adjunct Race Director for the 24 Hours of Le Mans. At the same time, his son André was contributing to another French icon: Alpine. But that's a story for another day…

PHOTOS (Copyright - ACO/ARCHIVES): LE MANS (SARTHE, FRANCE), 1938 24 HOURS OF LE MANS. Charles de Cortanze gave Peugeot its first top 5 finish at the 15th running of the race. In the top photo, de Cortanze stands next to teammate Marcel Contet at the wheel.