Rondeau M378 – Le Mans at full throttle

Rondeau M378 – The only car to ever win at Le Mans driven by the same guy who built it.

..and that’s not the only record it holds! The Rondeau M378 is a very special car indeed, not only did it win the 1980 24 Hours of Le Mans outright whilst being driven by it’s creator Jean Rondeau in M379 spec, but it’s also the single Le Mans vehicle with more starts than any other. It’s sat on the grid at ten separate 24 Hour Le Mans races between 1978 and 1988. Just think about the rapidly ongoing development of technology, and stresses placed upon endurance vehicles – that’s a huge deal!

The Rondeau M378 still exists and races today, it’s still powered by a Cosworth DFV and it’s still a 1796lb (816kg) monster. Just watch it being driven in aggression at the most recent Le Mans Classic!

9000rpm, and we’re loving every last one of them. Rondeau M378 – you’re one of our favorites.