Mazda 787B returns to Le Mans to celebrate 35 years since victory

Back in 1991, Mazda became the first Japanese manufacturer to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans with its iconic rotary-powered 787B. Now, 35 years on, that historic winning vehicle is set to take to Circuit de la Sarthe once more.

While this year’s edition of the world’s most famous endurance race has been and gone, its historic counterpart, the 2026 Le Mans Classic, is in the calendar for July 2-5.

With this year marking the 35^th anniversary of Mazda’s historic win, not only the first by a Japanese manufacturer but also the first and only win by a car with a rotary engine, the 787B will fire up its unmistakable four-rotor powerplant and treat fans’ ears at the historic racing event to its high-revving sounds.

Although not entered into any of the competition racing that weekend, the 787B will be driven around the famous circuit as part of a special parade session. Behind the wheel will be Yojiro Terada, a four-time class winner at Le Mans, and Pierre Fillon, president of the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO).

Founded in 2002 by Patrick Peter, Le Mans Classic brings together a host of Le Mans race cars from across eras to race on the full 13.6km, 24-hour circuit.

Since its 1991 victory, the 787B has made several returns to the track at Le Mans, most recently in 2022.

Although Mazda no longer sells any rotary-powered vehicles here in Australia, the company is still continuing its rotary engine development to this day.

It most recently sold a single-rotor, range-extender version of the MX-30 crossover in Japan and Europe, and in October 2025 hinted at plans for a rotary-powered sports car “in 2035” according to none other than Mazda CEO Masahiro Moro.

As one of the earliest adopters of the unique engine pioneered by German engineer Felix Wankel, closely following the lead of NSU, 2027 will mark 60 years since Mazda’s first rotary car, the 1967 Cosmo Sport.

For a taste of what you can expect at the 2026 Le Mans Classic, here’s a clip of the 787B when it returned to Le Mans for the 20^th anniversary of its famous win back in 2011: