Le Mans Classic Pics
Discussion
Hi I've just found your site and thought you might like to see some of my pics from the Le Mans Classic. I went down in my 1967 Dodge Charger.
Thursday 5.00am the alarm goes off and after six months of planning I wake up ready to begin the voyage to the Le Mans Classic. After picking up three of my mates and some fuel we’re running a little behind to catch our Eurotunnel Train, so we blast it down the M20, just making it in the nick of time. As the Charger loaded with camping gear and four blokes squeezes onto the carriage, we grate out teeth to the sound of a scraping manifold. Luckily no damage was done.
As soon as we got to France we needed to fill up with petrol again, we knew that we would be spending a lot of time and money over the weekend feeding the six and a half litre big block, especially if we wanted to get their quickly!
We met a few Le Mans troops on our 260 mile drive through France. These Healy’s had two support vehicles, a Privia and an Espace – both support vehicles broke down but no problems with the classics.
The only problems we had on the way down were that the rear view mirror would not stay in one place and the signs were not that easy to follow. A bit of gaffer tape helped with the first problem and the Morgan Owners Club helped with the second.
We finally arrived at the camp site about 4pm to find that we were among the first to get there. A quick tally amongst us and we had spend £150 in petrol getting to Le Mans. We had more than enough time to pitch the tents, make a trip to the Hypermarket and then chill out before darkness.
Friday morning we got up and went to a local bar for a coffee. As we drove along the road it was packed with rare car after rare car, I’ve never seen such good looking traffic. Outside the bar was a Ferrari 275 (worth about £150,000) left with the keys in, this gives you an indication of how chilled out the whole event was. No one was snobby about their cars and everyone just loved to talk motors all weekend.
It was during this visit to the bar that we started to notice how much attention the Charger was getting, people were passing the Ferrari by (as they had seen five already that morning) and heading straight for the Charger. It was a really pleasant surprise to see how well something is received because it’s a different. When people come up shake your hand and say “thanks for bringing your car down, it’s made my weekend” it really makes you feel humble and proud at the same time.
Back to the camp site and it’s starting to fill up, a quick wander unearths some fantastic treasures. Like this Daytona-
There were plenty of gorgeous Aston Martins -
This 964 speedster was pretty cool –
This 64 and a half Mustang Notch was one of only two other Yanks on the campsite. The guy who owned it had gone to look at a Charger and ended up buying the ‘stang, I’d looked at a Mustang and ended up with a Charger.
Mmmmmm RS –
356’s were turning up in droves!
More on the campsite…
Lovely MKII Jag. So many of these cars had driven from the UK.
911s seemed to be everywhere, but they were so nice –
Lotus was in top class condition –
[pic]LMC015.jpg|http://freespace.virgin.net/nick.grant/LMC015.jpg[/pic]
As was this 356 –
The owner of this 356 was telling me not only about his Trial to the Nile but also how he drove it to Shangai!!!
In the afternoon we walked up to the track to check out some of the cars before the qualifying, all along the road as we walked cool cars cruised past. Like this ‘Vette…
…and this Murcelago –
Up at the track there was a trade village surrounded by displays layed on by manufacturers, magazines and clubs. Every corner you turn is an immaculate unusual car, it totally blows you away.
Aston Martin had lined up about £2M of their new models –
Jaguar had put on a more traditional display –
After wandering around we went to the Grandstand to watch some of the qualifying which went on into the night. There were 360 cars entered into the racing including D Type Jags, GT40s, Shelby Mustangs, a whole range of 911s, 917s 914/6s. Unfortunately I only had my small camera with me which has no zoom to get any decent coverage of the racing. While we were at the track we ran into a guy from the campsite who said that Classic and Sports Car were trying to find me because they wanted to feature the Charger! How chuffed was I!
Saturday morning and we had a new neighbour on the campsite. They were pretty cool and friendly. The bus sported a twin quiet pack.
We went back to our usual bar for brunch to find a host of ‘vettes there.
Then back at the campsite where I met up with the Photographer from the magazine, he took some shots so they may just include the car in the show report or may be in touch for some more later.
Then it was back up to the track to check out some more displays and watch race preparation.
Love gulf paint schemes, especially on GT40s
Still more from around the track –
This Herbie had been through the wars –
A/Cs cruising in the sun –
Aston Martin Club display –
We saw this Aston driving back to Calais, no trailers here!!
This Aston speedster was awesome, never seen one before –
AC Club were showing some seriously rare tin –
Fantastic Merc in A1 condition –
The racing started at 4pm on Saturday and we watched it well into the night. It was great to see GT40s blasting round the track in the dark giving their cars some stick.
Sunday and it was back up to the track to check out some more of the racing and some more club displays.
One of only a few yanks at Le Mans –
The largest attended club by a country mile was the Porsche Owners club. They had some outstanding cars. Just look at the hundreds of Porsches in this field.
This matt black 911 was hard as nails!
The Porsche owners club had an amazing vehicle for their Driver Transport, this amazing Samba with 911 running gear, just check out that custom made emblem on the front and the Torque Thrust IIs.
This 911 speedster was also out standing!
>>> Edited by badbeachbuggy on Tuesday 7th September 10:41
>>> Edited by badbeachbuggy on Tuesday 7th September 10:42
Thursday 5.00am the alarm goes off and after six months of planning I wake up ready to begin the voyage to the Le Mans Classic. After picking up three of my mates and some fuel we’re running a little behind to catch our Eurotunnel Train, so we blast it down the M20, just making it in the nick of time. As the Charger loaded with camping gear and four blokes squeezes onto the carriage, we grate out teeth to the sound of a scraping manifold. Luckily no damage was done.
As soon as we got to France we needed to fill up with petrol again, we knew that we would be spending a lot of time and money over the weekend feeding the six and a half litre big block, especially if we wanted to get their quickly!
We met a few Le Mans troops on our 260 mile drive through France. These Healy’s had two support vehicles, a Privia and an Espace – both support vehicles broke down but no problems with the classics.
The only problems we had on the way down were that the rear view mirror would not stay in one place and the signs were not that easy to follow. A bit of gaffer tape helped with the first problem and the Morgan Owners Club helped with the second.
We finally arrived at the camp site about 4pm to find that we were among the first to get there. A quick tally amongst us and we had spend £150 in petrol getting to Le Mans. We had more than enough time to pitch the tents, make a trip to the Hypermarket and then chill out before darkness.
Friday morning we got up and went to a local bar for a coffee. As we drove along the road it was packed with rare car after rare car, I’ve never seen such good looking traffic. Outside the bar was a Ferrari 275 (worth about £150,000) left with the keys in, this gives you an indication of how chilled out the whole event was. No one was snobby about their cars and everyone just loved to talk motors all weekend.
It was during this visit to the bar that we started to notice how much attention the Charger was getting, people were passing the Ferrari by (as they had seen five already that morning) and heading straight for the Charger. It was a really pleasant surprise to see how well something is received because it’s a different. When people come up shake your hand and say “thanks for bringing your car down, it’s made my weekend” it really makes you feel humble and proud at the same time.
Back to the camp site and it’s starting to fill up, a quick wander unearths some fantastic treasures. Like this Daytona-
There were plenty of gorgeous Aston Martins -
This 964 speedster was pretty cool –
This 64 and a half Mustang Notch was one of only two other Yanks on the campsite. The guy who owned it had gone to look at a Charger and ended up buying the ‘stang, I’d looked at a Mustang and ended up with a Charger.
Mmmmmm RS –
356’s were turning up in droves!
More on the campsite…
Lovely MKII Jag. So many of these cars had driven from the UK.
911s seemed to be everywhere, but they were so nice –
Lotus was in top class condition –
[pic]LMC015.jpg|http://freespace.virgin.net/nick.grant/LMC015.jpg[/pic]
As was this 356 –
The owner of this 356 was telling me not only about his Trial to the Nile but also how he drove it to Shangai!!!
In the afternoon we walked up to the track to check out some of the cars before the qualifying, all along the road as we walked cool cars cruised past. Like this ‘Vette…
…and this Murcelago –
Up at the track there was a trade village surrounded by displays layed on by manufacturers, magazines and clubs. Every corner you turn is an immaculate unusual car, it totally blows you away.
Aston Martin had lined up about £2M of their new models –
Jaguar had put on a more traditional display –
After wandering around we went to the Grandstand to watch some of the qualifying which went on into the night. There were 360 cars entered into the racing including D Type Jags, GT40s, Shelby Mustangs, a whole range of 911s, 917s 914/6s. Unfortunately I only had my small camera with me which has no zoom to get any decent coverage of the racing. While we were at the track we ran into a guy from the campsite who said that Classic and Sports Car were trying to find me because they wanted to feature the Charger! How chuffed was I!
Saturday morning and we had a new neighbour on the campsite. They were pretty cool and friendly. The bus sported a twin quiet pack.
We went back to our usual bar for brunch to find a host of ‘vettes there.
Then back at the campsite where I met up with the Photographer from the magazine, he took some shots so they may just include the car in the show report or may be in touch for some more later.
Then it was back up to the track to check out some more displays and watch race preparation.
Love gulf paint schemes, especially on GT40s
Still more from around the track –
This Herbie had been through the wars –
A/Cs cruising in the sun –
Aston Martin Club display –
We saw this Aston driving back to Calais, no trailers here!!
This Aston speedster was awesome, never seen one before –
AC Club were showing some seriously rare tin –
Fantastic Merc in A1 condition –
The racing started at 4pm on Saturday and we watched it well into the night. It was great to see GT40s blasting round the track in the dark giving their cars some stick.
Sunday and it was back up to the track to check out some more of the racing and some more club displays.
One of only a few yanks at Le Mans –
The largest attended club by a country mile was the Porsche Owners club. They had some outstanding cars. Just look at the hundreds of Porsches in this field.
This matt black 911 was hard as nails!
The Porsche owners club had an amazing vehicle for their Driver Transport, this amazing Samba with 911 running gear, just check out that custom made emblem on the front and the Torque Thrust IIs.
This 911 speedster was also out standing!
>>> Edited by badbeachbuggy on Tuesday 7th September 10:41
>>> Edited by badbeachbuggy on Tuesday 7th September 10:42
welcome to PH and truely fantastic photos.
The weekend looked great, and what cars!!
All those 911 speedsters (one of my faves) and your motor is splendid.
Hopeing to get down to the classic as well as teh normal in the furture, you are tempting me further, if only the wife was as keen!!
The weekend looked great, and what cars!!
All those 911 speedsters (one of my faves) and your motor is splendid.
Hopeing to get down to the classic as well as teh normal in the furture, you are tempting me further, if only the wife was as keen!!
Badbeachbuggy, I was sat on the terrace of La Porte Du Circuit bar when your car was parked there next to the 'Vettes. Soon after you were joined by a GT40 replica.
The car looked awesome I have to say.
We had a great weekend too, including a lap of the hallowed circuit on the Saturday lunchtime.
Great pics too, do you have a website hosting them?
Cheers,
Mark
The car looked awesome I have to say.
We had a great weekend too, including a lap of the hallowed circuit on the Saturday lunchtime.
Great pics too, do you have a website hosting them?
Cheers,
Mark
R...
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