Five sportscars you have to see at 75MM
With more than 400 cars in attendance at 75MM, you might (will) find yourself lost in a sea of glorious historic racing machinery. Not that that’s a bad thing, but we thought we might give you a few suggestions for what to look out for, and what we’re particularly looking forward to seeing. Here are our top 5 sportscars to catch at 75MM!
Le Mans-winning Porsche 911 GT1 98
This is a car that needs no introduction. The last in a short and sharp line that was Porsche GT1 programme, the GT1 98 would be the car to deliver Le Mans-winning glory to Porsche in the class that the legendary F1 GTR brought to the fore in 1995. Catch the actual car that snagged Porsche Le-Mans-winning honours in the twilight hours of GT1 during the GT1 high speed demo at 75MM, alongside its more 'conventional' 911 GT1 predecessors, CLK GTRs, F1 GTRs, F40 LMs and more.
Cheetah Chevrolet
This car is the perfect antidote to the Cobra/E-type tin-lid historic sports GT establishment. Its furious Chevrolet V8 and sculpted curvaceous wraparound bodywork will provide a familiar soundtrack and a not-so-familiar silhouette at 75MM for the Graham Hill Trophy. How will it perform? Who knows. Members’ Meeting will be this car’s first competitive outing following a comprehensive restoration! Bonne chance!
Ferrari 250 LM
The Ferrari 250 LM is no stranger to the Goodwood Motor Circuit. Does that make it any less special or worthy of a mention? Not in the slightest. It is one of many cars from the era, indicative of a step-change in motorsport. That is, mid-engined is faster! Does an outright Le Mans win in 1964 get that point across? Its somewhat quirky looks are symptomatic of an early attempt at the engine amidships sportscar Formula, where a lot of the styling language of its quintessentially front-engined 250 GTO sibling carried over with mixed success. “Give them 6 years and they’ll crack it…”
TVR Griffith 400
This one splits opinion in the GRR office. Is it as successful in its dumpy coupe execution as the Cheetah? Up for debate. But with TVR due to make a big return this year, it feels fitting to look at the ancestry. That’s not to mention that the juxtaposition of a roaring V8 in what is a dainty little coupe is utterly hilarious! Classic TVR, really. Don’t miss it in action in the Graham Hill Trophy!
Matra MS670
Because V12! Not much more justification needed really. The 3.0-litre Matra V12 concerto is solidified in motorsport lore as one of the all-time great sounds that an internal combustion engine has ever made. Add to that the fact that the French Matras brought a dab of curvaceous style to the otherwise boxy class of mostly Italian machinery. The '70s never really caught up with these beautiful french blue machines, maintaining the big blob eyes and jaw-slackening curves of quintessential '60s beauties. The fact that these plucky things rocked up and trampled the established Italians on multiple occasions only adds to the Matra mythos. Catch it on track in the 3.0-litre sportscar high speed demo!
Images courtesy of LAT
Ferrari
250 LM
312 PB
Porsche
Cheetah
TVR
griffith
75MM
911
2017
