From Le Mans to Maastricht: the Mazda 787B

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With InterClassics Maastricht just around the corner, we are already looking forward to the event — to the cars, the people and the atmosphere. The organisers always succeed wonderfully in creating that last element. They build up the excitement as soon as you enter the building, ensure a pleasant layout and connect each edition with a strong theme and a special exhibition.

This year, that theme is Legends of the Rising Sun. A subject that does not always receive as much attention as it deserves. Japan may have entered automotive history relatively late, but from the 1950s onward the country grew rapidly into a major player, producing several truly iconic models. Think of the Toyota 2000GT, the Toyota Land Cruiser, the Subaru Impreza and, of course, Mazda’s rotary-engined cars. One of those will even be on display in Maastricht — and whether they will start it up or not, we are already looking forward to seeing it in person.

We are talking about a Mazda 787B, a car that is normally on display at the Musée des 24 Heures du Mans. In 1991, this rotary-powered machine wrote motorsport history by becoming the first — and to this day the only — Japanese manufacturer to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans. It was also the only victory ever achieved by a car powered by a rotary engine in this race. The four-rotor wankel engine proved not only fast and impressive, but also remarkably reliable — something that was by no means self-evident at the time.

The historic 1991 Le Mans victory

The winning Mazdaspeed team consisted of Johnny Herbert, Volker Weidler and Bertrand Gachot. The 787B was equipped with the Mazda R26B four-rotor rotary engine producing around 700 bhp, with a maximum engine speed of approximately 9,000 rpm, a carbon-monocoque chassis and low overall weight. This resulted in a car that excelled in reliability and efficiency, offered strong braking performance and treated tyres and brakes with care — major advantages in a 24-hour endurance race.

The physical challenge became clear when Herbert was so exhausted after his final stint that he collapsed and missed the podium ceremony.

The original winning car is now on display at the Mazda Museum in Hiroshima, Japan. In addition, Mazda has donated an identical presentation example (chassis #04) to the Musée des 24 Heures du Mans.

Text: Laurens Klein, Photography: InterClassics

Details:

• Event: InterClassics Maastricht
• Theme: Legends of the Rising Sun
• Date: 15 – 18 January 2026
• Location: MECC Maastricht, Netherlands
• Tickets: Click here

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