Moynet LM-75, an incredible Le Mans prototype!

For a change from the last articles that came out, today we are going to talk about "oldschool" race cars: The Moynet LM-75.

Moynet is perhaps a name that speaks to you?

Source : Wikipedia

André Moynet (1921-1993) was a French politician who loved planes. It all started at the age of 16, when he was licensed as a glider pilot when the Aviation Populaire opened its doors.

He voluntarily joined the French Air Force on September 2, 1939, and quickly became a military pilot and then a fighter pilot in the FAFL (Free French Air Force) after meeting General de Gaulle in 1940.

He participated in many campaigns: Dakar, Cameroon, Gabon and Chad.

He also went to Russia, then commanded the Toulouse Fighter Training Center and the Fighter Instructor School in Tours in 1945. He was decorated on several occasions, justifying his involvement and his willpower in all tests.

He then became deputy of Saône et Loire and entered the Palais Bourbon in 1946 (which he left in 1967).

For the anecdote, he continued his studies (interrupted during the war) and followed courses in free candidate of Sup-Aéro where he will specialize in fluid mechanics.

Source : Le Figaro

He was also a test pilot, and participated as a co-driver in the tests of the Caravelle alongside P.Nadot.

But Moynet was also a motor sport enthusiast, and was a pilot and participated several times in the 24h of Le Mans, 12h of Sebring...

You will have understood, this man was everywhere!

He had several retirements in races for mechanical reasons, which motivated him to start designing a prototype for Le Mans.

A model was first designed in 1968 with J.Hubert (the XS68), but mechanical defects pushed them to design another prototype: the LM-75.

This car has the same shape as the XS68, it is small: 3.45/1.57/0.98m. I really like its style with the ESSO livery, I don't know about you?

I have the chance to see it driving at the Classic Festival of Nogaro every year.

This prototype was on the starting grid of the 24h of Le Mans in 1975, with 3 women drivers: M.Hoepfner, C.Dacremont and M.Mouton. It was necessary to mark the blow for the year of the woman :).

Source : les24heures.fr

A qualification in 46th place in 4:34:400. However, the car not having known many tests, the mechanical problems arrive after only one hour and half of race... But it is necessary to hold! A race rich in emotions and tensions is going to take place. Without a functional lap counter, the three drivers will have to drive by ear! Moynet thinks he is already eliminated, but luckily it was not the case!

They manage to overtake the Lola T292 after 22 hours of racing, and take the lead in the category. The car will finish at the top of its category and 21st overall (3679 km covered with an average speed of 153.29 km/h)!

In characteristics, the LM-75 is equipped with a Chrysler 2L engine prepared by JRD developing 220 HP at 7000 rpm. That's not bad considering that it weighs only 675 kg! A 5-speed Porsche gearbox was chosen for the transmission. A combo which will allow the prototype to go up to 270 km/h in peak!

After its moment of glory, the Moynet family chose to exhibit the prototype in the Mougins automobile museum until 2008. Then they decided to sell it. The car was then restored and entered in various championships!