Gordini T15 back at Le Mans

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How do you build a successful sports-racing car? If you're a major manufacturer with a dedicated competition department, you can afford to invest in the latest technology to keep up-to-date. If you're one of the little guys, most likely you'll look around the workshop and see what you can put together for the least amount of money.

That's what Amedeo Gordini did with the shapely little roadster pictured here: the chassis started life as a single-seater Formula Two car in 1950. The body dates from 1949 and was originally fitted to a different car entirely. The two major components, along with a brand-new, 1490cc Type 18C engine, were married together in 1952. By June the following year, this 'bitsa' made its competition debut, at the Le Mans 24 Hours, driven by André Guelfi and Roger Loyer. Sadly, it only made it to the ninth hour before transmission problems forced its retirement.

The following years saw a chequered international career for the T15, eventually coming into the hands of a sympathetic owner who restored it back to its 1953 specification. Luckily, he lives in Le Mans, so it's no surprise to see the car back on the famous circuit after more than 60 years. The Automobile magazine went along for the ride, and in the latest issue you can read the whole story of the car's inception, career and eventual restoration.

(Photographs by Henri Thibault)

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