Mazda is Bringing a Restored Le Mans Race Car to the Track

Mazda has a special treat for motorsports fans at the 2016 Monterey Car Week.

Earlier this year, the Japanese automaker celebrated the 25th anniversary of its 1991 Le Mans victory in the 787B race car. And although the 787B is considered the crown jewel of the company’s global vintage race car collection, there are still other race cars Mazda holds dear to its heart. One of those is the 767B that competed at Le Mans in 1989.

After a two-year restoration process, the 767B is now part of Mazda North American Operations’ collection and it will be returning to the track at the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion from August 19 to August 21 at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. The event coincides is part of the 2016 Monterey Car Week.

SEE ALSO: 2016 Monterey Car Week Coverage

Like previously restored race cars in the company’s Heritage Collection, the 767B was brought back to life by the experts at Downing/Atlanta under the watchful eyes of Mazda racers Jim Downing and Rick Engman. According to the Japanese automaker, the race car was taken down to a bare tub and rebuilt piece by piece. The team even built the four-rotor 13J engine specifically for the car, delivering all the power, torque and noise it did when it competed at Le Mans. The motor provides a healthy 630 horsepower.

“Mazda has a never give up attitude and it is exemplified in the 767B,” said Mazda North American Operations president and CEO, Masahiro Moro, who is also managing executive officer for Mazda Motor Corporation. “The race track is the perfect environment to showcase our history of continuous innovation. We use our historic racecars, not as static reminders of the past, but rolling, screaming, fire-breathing brand ambassadors for the future.”

Discuss this story on our Mazda Forum