Mazda 787B: The Rotary Engine That Made History

In this episode of Vintage Car Chronicles , we revisit one of the most iconic moments in Le Mans history—the stunning victory of the Mazda 787B at the 1991 24 Hours of Le Mans. As the first and only Japanese car powered by a rotary engine to win this prestigious endurance race, the 787B’s triumph solidified Mazda’s place in motorsport history. Join us as we explore the development of the R26B engine, the challenges Mazda faced in the years leading up to this historic win, and how drivers Johnny Herbert, Volker Weidler, and Bertrand Gachot overcame the odds. From engineering marvels to strategic brilliance, we’ll dive into how Mazda claimed victory in what was to be the final year rotary engines were allowed at Le Mans.