The first victory in their magnificent winning streak was taken by the last version of the 936. Later on, the 956 and the 962 C put in some astounding performances, helping Porsche set a new record in 1985 for the most victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

1982 - Three cars were entered to mark the 956's first appearance at the Le Mans 24 Hours. They bagged the first three places in the order of their starting numbers: Jacky Ickx-Derek Bell (#1), Jochen Mass-Vern Schuppan (#2) and Al Holbert-Hurley Haywood-Jürgen Barth (#3).

1983 - After its splendid 1-2-3 in 1982, Porsche decided to sell customer versions of the 956 to privateer teams. In 1983, they swept the board in spectacular style, taking the first eight places in a race won by the works 956 driven by Vern Schuppan-Hurley Haywood-Al Holbert. Finishing seventh with team-mates Jürgen Lässig and Axel Plankenhorn, South African driver Désiré Wilson logged the best Le Mans result for a female driver in a prototype.

1984 - At the wheel of the 956 entered by Reinhold Joest, Henri Pescarolo and Klaus Ludwig were the final two-driver team to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The same year, gentleman-driver and Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason raced in his fifth and final 24 Hours at the wheel of a 956, sharing the cockpit with Richard Lloyd and René Metge (the car retired before the end).

1984-1987 - The Porsche 956 and then the 962 C, entered as factory cars or by privateers, dominated the 24 Hours of Le Mans more than any car had ever done before. After 1982 and 1983, they took the first seven places in 1984, the first five in 1985 and 1986 and the first two in 1987.

Read the previous episode in our series of 45 stories about Porsche at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Jean-Philippe Doret / ACO
Translated from French by Clair Pickworth

Photo: LE MANS (SARTHE, FRANCE), CIRCUIT DE LA SARTHE, 24 HOURS OF LE MANS, SATURDAY 17 & 18 JUNE 1983. Désiré Wilson finishes seventh at the wheel of a very swish Porsche 956 sponsored by a well-known clothing brand … for men!