by "Clemsie McKenzie" (thestirringcolumn)
Published 06/22/2017 at 11:30
by "Clemsie McKenzie" (thestirringcolumn)
Published 06/22/2017 at 11:30
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STARS: 5
Sure, you might think that you have better things to do when attending the Le Mans 24 hours than to spend a couple of hours in a museum. But honestly, trust me it’s worth it. Plus it’s now free to visit during the race weekend, and stays open until 1am. And when it rains, it’s the best shelter you can find!
Located near the main entry, just after the start/finish straight, it’s way bigger than you’d first think. Not so huge that you would spend a day in there, but enough to encompass most of the race’s history.
I doesn’t only have race cars, either, but also cars that were significant in the race’s history. And a couple of bikes that race here too.
Honestly I was blown away by the quality and the diversity of the cars presented there. You start with some pre-war rarities, and go all the way through to the famous failed Nissan FWD car, walking by a Mazda 787, a couple of Matras, a 917, a Corvate pace car, a Jaguar XJR-9, an Audi R8 LMP1... And just when you think they couldn’t fit any more amazing machines there, you go into the small exhibition room where they brought some ‘60s F1 cars that raced on the short track there.
So yeah. Set aside an hour or two of your race watching next time you come to Le Mans, and do yourself a favour by visiting the museum. It’s awesome.
Also guys, I’m sorry but this is a scheduled post, so I won’t be able to answer any comments today. The good reason for that is that I’m currently in a pre-war Rolls Royce, driving towards the Channel, to go to the annual Rolls Royce Enthusiasts’ Club reunion in the UK. I know, I know, life is tough.
"BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires" (biturbo228)
06/22/2017 at 11:47, STARS: 1
Can confirm it’s a great museum :) first time a saw a Matra Djet was there.
"Then Something New" (thensomethingnew)
06/22/2017 at 12:01, STARS: 0
Man that is an awesome array of cars.
But it got me wondering. Do any museums have better lights for photography? Most of the auto museums that I go to have painfully little yellow overhead lights.
"JR1" (type35bugatti)
06/22/2017 at 12:32, STARS: 0
What is the Roll Royce like? I can only imagine what it must be like to drive/ride in a pre war luxury car
"ateamfan42" (ateamfan42)
06/22/2017 at 13:10, STARS: 0
“ I’ll be in my bunk.”
By far my favorite car to drive in Gran Turismo.
"torque" (torque01)
06/25/2017 at 20:33, STARS: 0
What make/Model/year is that little sedan? I’m guessing about a 1966 Saab something?
"Clemsie McKenzie" (thestirringcolumn)
06/26/2017 at 09:00, STARS: 1
It’s a 1946-1952 Tatra 600 Tatraplan! If you don’t know about Tatra, check them out, they’re awesome. Rear-engined, very much ahead of their times.
"Clemsie McKenzie" (thestirringcolumn)
06/26/2017 at 09:01, STARS: 0
Most I’ve seen have pretty shitty lights, included this one. You’re missing the first part of the museum because it was too dark to get anything decent.
"Clemsie McKenzie" (thestirringcolumn)
06/26/2017 at 09:01, STARS: 1
I’ll do a mini Oppo review this week I think! It’s awesome.
"Clemsie McKenzie" (thestirringcolumn)
06/26/2017 at 09:02, STARS: 0
Yeah this whole section of the museum was pretty much GT4 made real!
"torque" (torque01)
06/26/2017 at 19:50, STARS: 0
D’uh! (to me) for some reason my brain got stuck on that being an old Saab especially the Ursaab, maybe the camera angle?
I Love Tatras! Especially the T77 & T87. I’m familar of the 603, 618 and 700. I (clearly) forgot about the 600 and they look so nice too! Much nicer design (to my eyes) than the 603
"Clemsie McKenzie" (thestirringcolumn)
06/27/2017 at 05:12, STARS: 1
That’s ok, I consider myself a bit of a Tatra fan and I had never heard of the 600! But yeah, gimme a 77 anytime.