Two and a half years ago, the Automobile Club de l’Ouest set out to create an exceptional celebration of the 24 Hours of Le Mans in honour of this year's Centenary. The mission: to highlight certain overall winners of the race as well as iconic cars that helped build its legacy. With 80 potential candidates, Fabrice Bourrigaud (director of culture and heritage) and Louis Monnier (head of the heritage commission) submitted to the event committee and key partners such as Peter Auto two lists for approval.

To mount an exhibition of this scale was a colossal undertaking, including convincing owners to lend their cars. Bourrigaud has expressed his sincere gratitude to all those who contributed to the success of the Grand Exhibition.

Despite the logistical challenges, the event team was able to reimagine the scenography and space of the 24 Hours Museum to accommodate the 82 cars. The challenge was met brilliantly, providing the exhibition with the setting it rightfully deserved.

The most magical moment of the event was the Grand Parade on Friday evening and Saturday. Forty-nine cars from the exhibition were given the honour of hitting the track to the thrill of fans crowded around the circuit.

The Grand Centenary Exhibition will be remembered as a vibrant tribute to the legacy of the world’s greatest endurance race. Bourrigaud and his team fulfilled their mission masterfully, giving life to an extraordinary event forever revered in the history of motorsport.

The photo

On Friday evening before the big race, 49 cars (including 36 winners) took part in the Grand Centenary Parade before retaking their places in the 24 Hours Museum. The racing legends gathered near the Dunlop footbridge.

Watch the video below to get a behind-the-scenes look at the 24 Hours of Le Mans Centenary Grand Exhibition.