Has Chevy ever won at Le Mans?
Yes, Chevrolet has won at the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race, though its victories have been relatively few and far between compared to other major automakers. Chevy's Le Mans success has been sporadic, with its most recent win coming in 1965.
Chevrolet's Le Mans Victories
Chevrolet's first and most significant Le Mans victory came in 1960, when a Corvette driven by drivers Dave MacDonald and Bob Bondurant took the GT class win. This was a landmark achievement for the American automaker, as it proved the Corvette's capabilities on the world stage.
Chevy's next Le Mans win came in 1965, when a Cobra Daytona Coupe driven by American drivers Bob Bondurant and Dan Gurney took the GT class victory. This was the last time a Chevrolet-powered car would win at Le Mans for over 50 years.
Chevrolet's Le Mans Struggles
Despite its two class wins, Chevrolet has struggled to achieve overall victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The automaker has entered various prototype and GT cars over the decades, but has been unable to match the consistency and performance of manufacturers like Porsche, Audi, and Toyota.
Chevrolet's most recent Le Mans effort was in 2015, when a Corvette C7.R driven by Oliver Gavin, Tommy Milner, and Jordan Taylor finished third in the GTE Pro class. While a podium finish is respectable, it falls short of the ultimate goal of an overall victory.
Reasons for Chevrolet's Le Mans Struggles
- Lack of sustained factory-backed Le Mans programs: Chevrolet has not maintained a consistent, long-term presence at Le Mans like some of its European rivals.
- Technological disadvantages: The Corvette and other Chevrolet-powered cars have sometimes struggled to match the advanced hybrid and aerodynamic technologies of their competitors.
- Reliability issues: Endurance racing places immense stress on vehicles, and Chevrolet has occasionally faced reliability problems that have prevented it from challenging for the win.
- Fierce competition: The 24 Hours of Le Mans is one of the most challenging and competitive motorsports events in the world, with top teams and drivers from around the globe vying for victory.
While Chevrolet has had its moments of glory at Le Mans, the automaker's overall record at the race pales in comparison to its European counterparts. However, the company remains committed to endurance racing, and with continued development and a sustained factory effort, Chevrolet may one day achieve the ultimate goal of an overall victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Who has more Le Mans wins, Ford or Chevy?
Corvette Racing has won Le Mans eight times in 16 years, more than any class competitor. Although Ford first revived the GT nameplate in 2005, it never went racing. As the 50th anniversary of Ford's historic win at the 1966 race approached, though, the company decided to go all-in.
Did Corvette ever win Le Mans?
Most of those successes came in the American Le Mans Series (ALMS), where Corvette led in all-time victories and 1-2 finishes, along with 10 team championships and 10 manufacturer titles – both ALMS records – for Chevrolet. Corvette Racing and Chevrolet also have won in class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans seven times.
What is the only American car to win Le Mans?
In the 1967 Le Mans, the GT40 Mk IV car became the only car developed and assembled entirely (both chassis and engine) in the United States to achieve the overall win at Le Mans.
What is the only American built car to win Le Mans?
In the 1966 Le Mans, the GT40 Mk II car broke Ferrari's winning streak, making Ford the first American manufacturer to win a major European race since Jimmy Murphy's Duesenberg in the 1921 French Grand Prix.
How many Le Mans wins does Chevy have?
nine times
Officially debuting in 2000, Corvette Racing has won the 24 Hours of Le Mans nine times. From 2024, Corvette Racing supports customer team TF Sport for Le Mans and the FIA World Endurance Championship.
Who has won more races Ford or Chevy?
Championship winners (totals)
| Manufacturer | Total wins | Truck Wins |
|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet | 81 | 12 |
| Ford | 23 | 2 |
| Toyota | 18 | 14 |
| Dodge | 5 | 3 |
Did Ken Miles win Le Mans for Ford?
British-born Ken Miles was a gifted race car engineer and driver. Through his work for Carroll Shelby, Miles got involved in Ford's GT racing program. Miles won the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring in 1966, and he placed second at Le Mans. Miles died in a crash while testing Ford's J-Car later that year.
Has any American car won Le Mans?
Dan Gurney and A. J. Foyt, driving a Ford Mk IV, won the race after leading from the second hour, becoming the first and as of 2025 the only all-American victors (car, team, and drivers) of the race.
What car brand has won the most Le Mans?
Porsche
Porsche have won the most races as a manufacturer with 19 since their first in 1970. Audi are second with 13 wins and Ferrari are third with 11 victories. Porsche also achieved the most consecutive wins with seven victories in succession from 1981 to 1987.
How did the Chevy do at Le Mans?
The Chevy Camaro ZL1 crossed the finish line in 39th place. Jim France: "It was incredible." The project was inspired by his father, NASCAR founder Bill France Sr., who brought two stock cars to the 1976 24 Hours of Le Mans. "It took thousands of hours of work to make this happen.
