XCAR: The History of Porsche at Le Mans

As we already know, Porsche is making its return to Le Mans this year, but the company has a long and storied past with the event. In this documentary from XCAR, we learn about not only the history of Porsche’s participation in the epic race, but looks forward towards this year’s return with its powerful new LMP1 entry, the 919.

The first Porsche to race in the 24 Hours of Le Mans was the tricked out 356 SL, which appeared back in 1951, and won its division in its very first race. Through the years, Porsche would participate with the 550 Spyder, the 718 RSK, the 908, then later with the first-place winning 917, 935, 936, and the 956 and 962, which dominated Le Mans from 1981 to 1987.

Porsche wouldn’t achieve first place again until the late ’90s with the mutant Porsche/Jaguar TWR WSC-95 and the mid-engine 911 GT1, which won in 1998 – the last time Porsche would take the top spot – coincidentally the last time they took part in the race.