24h Le Mans
Have you always dreamed of owning a car that competed at the 24 Hours of Le Mans? Does it seem impossible? Perhaps not...Modern day or vintage cars are both for sale, at auction or otherwise. Short summer summary...
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When you think of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, American cars are not the first to spring to mind, and yet many U.S. manufacturers have entered, officially or unofficially, in La Sarthe. This goes for Chevrolet recently with the Corvette, and also with the Camaro.
In 1982, two Camaros were entered the 24 Hours of Le Mans in the IMSA GTO class by the Stratagraph, Inc. company, the main active sponsor in the fuel industry. The car - sporting the No. 80 and driven by Dick Brooks, Herschel McGriff and Tom Williams - would not rank, while the No. 81 sister car of Billy Hagan (NASCAR driver and owner of Stratagraph) and Gene Felton, which is for sale, finished second in the class and 17th overall.
After its Le Mans adventure, the Camaro participated in the 24 Hours of Daytona in 1984 with the same drivers as in La Sarthe, supported by former NASCAR star, Terry Labonte. The trio won the GTO class without issue and even finished sixth overall. In March of the same year, the three accomplices went on to win the 12 Hours of Sebring in the GTO class and placed eighth overall.
The V8 engine Camaro would then change hands several times before being restored by its last owner to its condition at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Ready to roll in historic races, the beautiful American car was put up at auction (Lot F157) in Monterey, California during the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elégance by Mecum Auctions - with an estimated going price between $175,000 and $250,000. With no buyer found, the auction continues on the website Mecum Auctions.
Cécile Bonardel / ACO - Translation by Nikki Ehrhardt / ACO
