[OC] The History of the #1 at Le Mans (Part 2)

Welcome back! [Here is Part 1 for any that missed it.](https://www.reddit.com/r/wec/comments/l40vqf/oc_the_history_of_the_1_at_le_mans_part_1/)

- ***1949-1971: The Smallest Number, The Biggest Car (Part 2)***

With the Second World War over and the Le Mans circuit back in operation, it was time for the return of the legendary endurance event in 1949. And just like the pre-war days, the #1 was handed to the car with the biggest engine.

- **1949** – [Écurie Verte](http://lemans-history.com/imagens//1949/lm_949_001.jpg) / Talbot-Lago Grand Sport Coupé (André Chambas, André Morel) – The first edition of Le Mans after the war had a mix of old and new machinery. From a list of over a hundred entries, 49 cars made the race. It was the first instance of the #1 having to deal with heartbreak as the car stopped on its final lap while running in 4th position.

- **1950** – [Manufacture d'Armes de Paris](http://lemans-history.com/imagens//1950/specialdiesel_map_1950.jpg) / M.A.P. Diesel (Fernand Lacour, Pierre Veyron) – A big 5.0L supercharged diesel used the #1 and was the first mid-mounted engine at Le Mans. I don’t blame you for never hearing of M.A.P., as this was their only Le Mans entry and they were primarily a manufacturer of agricultural equipment. The chassis was that of a modified Delahaye and while the car broke many speed records, it only made 39 circuits before retiring at Le Mans. [Briggs Cunningham](https://www.slotcar-today.com/en/img2/2016/04/cadillac-le-mans-2-2-23894.jpg) and [Sydney Allard](http://lemans-history.com/imagens//1950/4.jpg) brought three 5.4L Cadillacs, including Briggs' famous *Le Monstre*, but the “French Rule” evaded them from the #1.

- **1951** – [Allard](http://lemans-history.com/imagens//1951/1951_01-02-03-04.jpg) / Allard J2 Cadillac (Sydney Allard, Tom Cole Jr.) – This Anglo-American effort kickstarted an almost 20 year period of English and American domination of the #1. This year’s #1 retired halfway through the race after charging through the field and getting as high as 4th position.

- **1952** – [Cunningham](https://www.briggscunningham.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/c4r.jpg) / Cunningham C-4R Chrysler (Bill Spear, Briggs Cunningham) – In my opinion, Briggs Cunningham was Carroll Shelby before Carroll Shelby. He designed and built his own cars and represented the United States for many years at Le Mans. This edition of Le Mans saw many top cars retire while running well, allowing Cunningham to nurse the #1 to a 4th place overall finish.

- **1953** – [Cunningham](http://lemans-history.com/imagens//1953/1953_01.jpg) / Cunningham C-4R Chrysler (Bill Spear, Briggs Cunningham) – Cunningham once again used the #1 at Le Mans. This time, his C-4R came in 7th overall while the sister #2 in the newer [C-5R](http://lemans-history.com/imagens//1953/1953_02[03].jpg) claimed the final step of the podium, preventing a [Jaguar 1-2-3](http://lemans-history.com/imagens//1953/1953_18[13].jpg).

- **1954** – [Cunningham](http://lemans-history.com/imagens//1954/1954_01[01].jpg) / Cunningham C-4R Chrysler (Briggs Cunningham, John Gordon Bennett) – If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again – that must have been Cunningham’s motto. Using the #1 once again, Briggs came home in 5th overall. Three straight decent results but the big Chrysler V8s were no match for [Ferrari](http://lemans-history.com/imagens//1954/1954_04[08].jpg) and [Jaguar](http://lemans-history.com/imagens//1954/gm2.jpg).

- **1955** – [Aston Martin Lagonda Ltd.](http://lemans-history.com/imagens//1955/1955_01.jpg) / Lagonda DP-166 (Dennis Poore, Reg Parnell) – [This Le Mans is remembered](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1955_Le_Mans_disaster) [for all the wrong reasons](https://www.reddit.com/r/wec/comments/37z81c/the_1955_le_mans_disaster_60_years_thread/) but let’s not talk about that right now. Thankfully, Bugatti didn’t show up to this edition of Le Mans, allowing Lagonda to finally claim the #1! The Lagonda had been going at a decent pace but the car ran out of fuel in the 8th hour… ouch.

- **1956** – [Jaguar Cars Ltd.](http://lemans-history.com/imagens//1956/lm56123biq2.jpg) / Jaguar D-Type (Ivor Bueb, Mike Hawthorn) - Aston Martin ditched the big Lagonda 4.5L V12 engine and consequently lost the #1 to [Jaguar’s curvy, shark-finned D-Type](http://lemans-history.com/imagens//1956/1_a.jpg), powered by a 3.4L straight 6. The #1 hit mechanic issues while leading and came home in 6th position while [another Jaguar claimed overall honours](http://lemans-history.com/imagens//1956/1956_04[11].jpg).

- **1957** – [Officine Alfieri Maserati](http://lemans-history.com/imagens//1957/1957_01[07].jpg) / Maserati 450S Zagato Coupé (Harry Schell, Stirling Moss) – This project started in 1954 but was sidelined due to the 1955 Le Mans disaster. With financial backing from a wealthy American, Maserati continued development of what would become the 450S. Maserati decided they wanted to conquer the motorsport world all in one year and sent two of their big 4.5L V8's to make their first Le Mans appearance. The project was a disappointment as the #2 lasted 28 laps and the #1 joined it in the garage 4 laps later.

- **1958** – [Godia-Sales](http://lemans-history.com/imagens//1958/1958_01.jpg) / Maserati 300 S (Francisco Godia-Sales, Jo Bonnier) – Maserati claimed the #1 for the second straight year, but this time as a private entry. This private entry faired much better than the factory effort a year prior, lasting 142 laps before retiring.

- **1959** – [Lister Engineering](http://lemans-history.com/imagens//1959/5901_l11.jpg) / Lister Sport Jaguar (Bruce Halford, Ivor Bueb) – To all you [2000’s FIA GT watchers](https://www.artandrevs.com/upload/cars/gal/xl_22_265.jpg) or [gamers out there](https://www.racedepartment.com/attachments/gtr2-2-jpg.176893/), yes, this is the very same Lister company. Powered by the Jaguar 3.0L straight 6, the #1 retired on lap 121 while running in the top five. This marked an end to a horrible decade for the #1… hopefully the 60’s would be a lot better.

- **1960** – [Cunningham](http://lemans-history.com/imagens//1960/3016935-r1-e010.jpg) / Chevrolet Corvette C1 Coupé (Bill Kimberley, Briggs Cunningham) – Cunningham reclaimed the #1 but this time with a Chevrolet 4.6L V8 Corvette. This marked Corvette’s first appearance at Le Mans in what would become a [long and storied history at the event](https://i1.wp.com/www.corvetteactioncenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/corvette-racing-pratt-miller.jpg?ssl=1). Ultimately, the Corvette’s were no match for the more nimble [Ferrari 250 GT’s](http://lemans-history.com/imagens//1960/1960_11[16].jpg). Kimberley aquaplaned off track and retired on lap 32. Looks like the #1’s terrible luck is here to stay in the 60’s :(.

- **1961** – [Kerguen](http://lemans-history.com/imagens//1961/partida.jpg) / Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato (Jacques Dewez, Jean Kerguen) – This private French entry experienced heartbreak as the car retired within the final hour while running in the top ten overall. [Side note, let’s be honest here, this is one of the most beautiful cars to bear the #1 or any number for that matter.](https://www.autocar.co.uk/sites/autocar.co.uk/files/images/car-reviews/first-drives/legacy/1-aston-martin-db4-zagato-2019-fd-hero-front.jpg)

- **1962** – [Scuderia Scirocco](http://lemans-history.com/imagens//1962/62lm01z20settemberturner20chevrolet20corvettevo6.jpg) / Chevrolet Corvette C1 Coupé (Jack Turner, Tony Settember) – The Corvette returned to Le Mans and once again wore the #1 with a massive 5.4L V8 engine (compared to the next biggest, the 3.9L engines of [Ferrari](http://lemans-history.com/imagens//1962/1962_06[16].jpg) and [Maserati](https://www.topcarrating.com/maserati/1962-maserati-tipo-151-6.jpg)). During the night, Turner accidently put the engine in reverse, breaking the gearbox, and with only third gear operational, the engine soon let go.

- **1963** – No #1. A private entry Corvette C2 did not arrive. This was the first time since 1934 that the #1 was not used. [Side note, I believe I am correct in saying this was the first edition of Le Mans where practice times determined grid order instead of car number.](https://cdn.motorsportgallery.com/media/catalog/product/cache/8d2c0ac59b40dbcf39787c52f75ed736/1/6/168-63lm-01-a2.jpg)

- **1964** – [Veuillet](http://lemans-history.com/imagens//1964/1964_01[08].jpg) / Iso Grifo A3C Chevrolet (Edgar Berney, Pierre Noblet) – Chevrolet reclaimed the #1, but this time in style. Giotto Bizzarrini fitted the 5.4L V8 in a stylish Italian design that eventually became the [Bizzarrini Strada](https://www.conceptcarz.com/images/Bizzarrini/69-Bizzarrini-5300-GT_Strada-DV-16-PBC-dt031-800.jpg). With this combination of style and power, the #1 returned to some glory, finishing 14th overall, ending seven straight years of failure.

- **1965** – [Shelby American Inc.](http://lemans-history.com/imagens//1965/1965_01.jpg) / Ford GT40X (Bruce McLaren, Ken Miles) – So we all thought the Chevrolet 5.4L V8 was pretty big, right? Well, Ford decided to show the world how big America really was, with a [7.0L V8](https://www.conceptcarz.com/images/Ford/65_Ford-GT40_Works-Prototype-e01.jpg) pumping out 450 bhp. As we all know from Ford vs Ferrari, the #1 lasted a dismal 3 hours before retiring.

- **1966** – [Shelby American Inc.](http://lemans-history.com/imagens//1966/1966_01[04].jpg) / Ford GT40 Mk.II (Denny Hulme, Ken Miles) – Ford came back with a vengeance this year and if it wasn’t for a technicality, the #1 would have come back with a vengeance too! As we all know, the 1966 edition of Le Mans ended in controversy, [when the #2 Ford of McLaren/Amon was awarded overall victory ahead of the #1 of Miles/Hulme](https://d3lp4xedbqa8a5.cloudfront.net/s3/digital-cougar-assets/whichcar/2018/06/21/-1/The-story-Ford-1966-Le-Mans-victory.jpg). Never forget, this prevented Miles from becoming the first and to this day only driver to win the endurance triple crown in the same year.

- **1967** – [Shelby American Inc.](http://lemans-history.com/imagens//1967/1967_01[54].jpg) / Ford GT40 Mk.IV (A.J. Foyt, Dan Gurney) – The #1’s vengeance was delayed by a year, but redemption finally came in 1967. The #1 spanked the rest of the field to win comfortably and covered a new distance record of 5,232.90 km. This marks the #1’s third overall victory, after 1929 and 1939.

- **1968** – No #1. After 1967, the FIA banned big-engine sportscars and prototypes, but GTs were unaffected. With the departure of the [Ford](http://lemans-history.com/imagens//1967/1967_02[01].jpg) and [Ferrari](http://lemans-history.com/imagens//1967/1967_21[85].jpg) prototypes, Chevrolet reclaimed the #1 with their own 7.0L V8 Corvette C3 in the GT class. Only problem is, the main team, headed by [Roger Penske](https://d32c3oe4bky4k6.cloudfront.net/-/media/uscamediasite/images/story-images/2020/03/24/penske_camaro_david_saggio\(06\).ashx?modified=20200323135443), didn’t make it and the B team, [Scuderia Filipinetti](http://lemans-history.com/imagens//1968/1968_04-03.jpg), didn’t fair well in the race.

- **1969** – [Scuderia Filipinetti](http://lemans-history.com/imagens//1969/1969_01.jpg) / Chevrolet Corvette C3 (Henri Greder, Reine Wisell) – Scuderia Filipinetti came back to Le Mans with the Chevrolet 7.0L but the result was still the same, a retirement. [Side note, Jacky Ickx famously walked to his car during the start of this race to protest the classic *Le Mans start*.](https://dyler.com/posts/26/jacky-ickx-the-le-mans-legend-who-changed-the-start-of-the-race) The start was altered in 1970, where drivers were already strapped into their cars, and again in 1971, where cars did the now customary rolling start.

- **1970** – [Écurie Léopard](http://lemans-history.com/imagens//1970/1970_01[01].jpg) / Chevrolet Corvette C3 (Jean-Claude Aubriet, Joseph Bourdon) – When we think of 1970, we think of [Steve McQueen’s Le Mans](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/f1/LeMans.jpg). [Porsche 917](http://lemans-history.com/imagens//1970/1970_23[141].jpg) vs [Ferrari 512](http://lemans-history.com/imagens//1970/1970_11[26].jpg). Completely [insane and powerful sportscars](https://i.pinimg.com/originals/ba/9b/bc/ba9bbc1c2a016790efd8841674195773.jpg) dueling for overall victory. So, who had the honour of carrying the #1… a Chevrolet Corvette 7.0L V8 that only made it 37 laps before retiring… insane.

- **1971** – [Écurie Léopard](http://lemans-history.com/imagens//1971/1971_01[01].jpg) / Chevrolet Corvette C3 (Jean-Claude Aubriet, Jean-Pierre Rouget) – Same entry, same result, retirement. [Yawn](https://www.jamesedition.com/stories/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/aston-pits-sleeping-1365491009.png)… next!

- Le Mans had seen a huge advancement in automotive technology during this period. In 20 years, Le Mans went from elegant, curvy roadsters to demonic, roaring sports prototypes. As for the #1, its representation began to alter after 1971. In Part 3, we'll explore ***1972-1981: The #1? It’s Just a Number.*** and ***1982-1993: Running the #1 is Finally a Big Deal!***

- **Bonus:** I thought it would be fun and interesting if we applied the numbering convention from this era to the 2015 24 Hours of Le Mans entry list. It certainly would have made for an interesting looking grid but I think we can all agree that it just looks so wrong. (Res = Reserve Entry)

|#|Class|Team|Car|Engine|Old #| :--|:--|:--|:--|:--|:--| |1|GTE AM|Riley Motorsports|SRT Viper GTS-R|Dodge 8.0L V10|53| |2|GTE AM|Larbre Competition|Chevrolet Corvette C7.R|Chevrolet 5.5L V8|50| |3|GTE PRO|Corvette Racing|Chevrolet Corvette C7.R|Chevrolet 5.5L V8|63| |4|GTE PRO|Corvette Racing|Chevrolet Corvette C7.R|Chevrolet 5.5L V8|64| |5|GTE PRO|AF Corse|Ferrari 458 Italia GTC|Ferrari 4.5L V8|51| |6|GTE PRO|AF Corse|Ferrari 458 Italia GTC|Ferrari 4.5L V8|71| |7|GTE AM|AF Corse|Ferrari 458 Italia GTC|Ferrari 4.5L V8|55| |8|GTE AM|AF Corse|Ferrari 458 Italia GTC|Ferrari 4.5L V8|61| |9|GTE AM|AF Corse|Ferrari 458 Italia GTC|Ferrari 4.5L V8|83| |10 (Res)|GTE AM|Formula Racing|Ferrari 458 Italia GTC|Ferrari 4.5L V8|60| |11|GTE AM|SMP Racing|Ferrari 458 Italia GTC|Ferrari 4.5L V8|72| |12|GTE AM|Scuderia Corsa|Ferrari 458 Italia GTC|Ferrari 4.5L V8|62| |13|GTE AM|JMW Motorsport|Ferrari 458 Italia GTC|Ferrari 4.5L V8|66| |14 (Res)|LMP2|Algarve Pro Racing|Ligier JS P2|Nissan 4.5L V8|25| |15|LMP2|Greaves Motorsport|Gibson 015S|Nissan 4.5L V8|41| |16|LMP2|Signatech Alpine|Alpine A450b|Nissan 4.5L V8|36| |17|LMP2|SMP Racing|BR 01|Nissan 4.5L V8|27| |18|LMP2|SMP Racing|BR 01|Nissan 4.5L V8|37| |19 (Res)|LMP2|Ibanez Racing|Oreca 03 R|Nissan 4.5L V8|44| |20|LMP2|Ibanez Racing|Oreca 03 R|Nissan 4.5L V8|45| |21|LMP2|Strakka Racing|Dome S103|Nissan 4.5L V8|42| |22|LMP2|Thiriet by TDS Racing|Oreca 05|Nissan 4.5L V8|46| |23|LMP2|KCMG|Oreca 05|Nissan 4.5L V8|47| |24|LMP2|Murphy Prototypes|Oreca 03 R|Nissan 4.5L V8|48| |25|LMP2|G-Drive Racing|Ligier JS P2|Nissan 4.5L V8|28| |26|LMP2|G-Drive Racing|Ligier JS P2|Nissan 4.5L V8|26| |27|LMP2|OAK Racing|Ligier JS P2|Nissan 4.5L V8|35| |28|LMP2|Jota Sport|Gibson 015S|Nissan 4.5L V8|38| |29|LMP2|Pegasus Racing|Morgan LM P2|Nissan 4.5L V8|29| |30|GTE AM|Aston Martin Racing|Aston Martin V8 Vantage GTE|Aston Martin 4.5L V8|96| |31|GTE AM|Aston Martin Racing|Aston Martin V8 Vantage GTE|Aston Martin 4.5L V8|98| |32|GTE PRO|Aston Martin Racing|Aston Martin V8 Vantage GTE|Aston Martin 4.5L V8|95| |33|GTE PRO|Aston Martin Racing|Aston Martin V8 Vantage GTE|Aston Martin 4.5L V8|97| |34|GTE PRO|Aston Martin Racing|Aston Martin V8 Vantage GTE|Aston Martin 4.5L V8|99| |35|LMP1|Audi Sport Team Joest|Audi R18 e-tron quattro|Audi 4.0L Turbo Diesel V6|7| |36|LMP1|Audi Sport Team Joest|Audi R18 e-tron quattro|Audi 4.0L Turbo Diesel V6|8| |37|LMP1|Audi Sport Team Joest|Audi R18 e-tron quattro|Audi 4.0L Turbo Diesel V6|9| |38|GTE AM|Abu Dhabi-Proton Racing|Porsche 991 RSR|Porsche 4.0L F6|88| |39 (Res)|GTE AM|Proton Competition|Porsche 991 RSR|Porsche 4.0L F6|65| |40|GTE AM|Dempsey-Proton Racing|Porsche 991 RSR|Porsche 4.0L F6|77| |41|GTE PRO|Porsche Team|Porsche 991 RSR|Porsche 4.0L F6|91| |42|GTE PRO|Porsche Team|Porsche 991 RSR|Porsche 4.0L F6|92| |43|GTE AM|Team AAI|Porsche 991 RSR|Porsche 4.0L F6|68| |44|GTE AM|Team AAI|Porsche 997 GT3 RSR|Porsche 4.0L F6|67| |45 (Res)|GTE AM|Gulf Racing|Porsche 991 RSR|Porsche 4.0L F6|86| |46|LMP1|Toyota Motorsport|Toyota TS040 Hybrid|Toyota 3.7L V8|1| |47|LMP1|Toyota Motorsport|Toyota TS040 Hybrid|Toyota 3.7L V8|2| |48 (Res)|LMP2|Team SARD-Morand|Morgan LM P2 Evo|SARD 3.6L V8|39| |49|LMP2|Team SARD-Morand|Morgan LM P2 Evo|SARD 3.6L V8|43| |50|LMP2|Krohn Racing|Ligier JS P2|Judd 3.6L V8|40| |51 (Res)|LMP2|KCMG|Oreca 03 R|Judd 3.6L V8|47| |52|LMP1|Nissan Motorsports|Nissan GT-R LM Nismo|Nissan 3.0L Turbo V6|21| |53|LMP1|Nissan Motorsports|Nissan GT-R LM Nismo|Nissan 3.0L Turbo V6|22| |54|LMP1|Nissan Motorsports|Nissan GT-R LM Nismo|Nissan 3.0L Turbo V6|23| |55|LMP2|Extreme Speed Motorsports|Ligier JS P2|Honda 2.8L Turbo V6|30| |56|LMP2|Extreme Speed Motorsports|Ligier JS P2|Honda 2.8L Turbo V6|31| |57|LMP2|OAK Racing|Ligier JS P2|Honda 2.8L Turbo V6|34| |58|LMP1|Rebellion Racing|Rebellion R-One|AER 2.4L Turbo V6|12| |59|LMP1|Rebellion Racing|Rebellion R-One|AER 2.4L Turbo V6|13| |60|LMP1|Team ByKolles|CLM P1/01|AER 2.4L Turbo V6|4| |61|LMP1|Porsche Team|Porsche 919 Hybrid|Porsche 2.0L Turbo V4|17| |62|LMP1|Porsche Team|Porsche 919 Hybrid|Porsche 2.0L Turbo V4|18| |63|LMP1|Porsche Team|Porsche 919 Hybrid|Porsche 2.0L Turbo V4|19|