Which car won the 1991 24 Hours of Le Mans overall?

The Mazda 787B won the 1991 24 Hours of Le Mans overall. The No. 55 Mazdaspeed entry was driven by Johnny Herbert, Volker Weidler, and Bertrand Gachot, and completed 362 laps to beat the leading Jaguar XJR-12LM.

Its victory was historic for several reasons. Mazda became the first Japanese manufacturer to win the endurance classic, and the 787B remains the only car powered by a rotary engine to take the overall Le Mans victory. Its naturally aspirated 2.6-litre R26B four-rotor engine was compact, powerful, and notably distinctive for its high-pitched sound.

The race was not a straightforward Mazda procession. The car benefited from excellent reliability and efficient running while several major rivals encountered problems. The 787B’s bright orange-and-green livery, created for sponsor Renown, also made it one of the most recognizable cars in Le Mans history. Toyota TS010s, Jaguars, Mercedes-Benz C11s, and Porsche 962s competed in the field, but none displaced Mazda from the overall result.