Inaltera LM77 - 1977

For Jean Rondeau, Le Mans has always been close to his heart. He was born in the city renowned for hosting the world's most famous endurance race, a race he dreamed of winning since childhood. In 1972, following a series of driving experiences, he realised his dream of racing on his home circuit as co-driver alongside Brian Robinson in a Chevron B21 powered by a Ford Cosworth engine. Unfortunately, after less than 80 laps, he and his team were forced to abandon the race. Rondeau then drove for other private teams and in various cars until 1976, the year in which he built his own car. Determined to win, Rondeau opted for the most efficient engine available at the time, the Ford Cosworth DFV V8, preferring it to the French-made PRV V6, a decision that deprived him of national financial support.

Confronted with this problem, he decided to sign an agreement with the wallpaper manufacturer Inaltera, on the condition that the team and the car be named after the brand. Consequently, the car was simply named Inaltera GTP, after the category in which it competed (despite the fact that some cars were registered in Sport Group 6), while it was also referred to as the Inaltera LM.

Designed by the Bureau de Style Ovale, the car was characterised by its simplicity and streamlined bodywork, excelling in the 1976 and 1977 editions of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, winning in its category each time. During the first year, the car that achieved this result, finishing eighth overall, was raced by Henri Pescarolo and Jean-Pierre Beltoise; while the second car was driven by Jean Rondeau, Jean-Pierre Jaussaud and Belgian driver Christine Beckers, ending up in 21st place.

1978 saw the team entering one LM77 revised for GTP and another two for Group 6. On this occasion, it was Rondeau who achieved the best result, driving the GTP alongside Jean Ragnotti: he finished fourth with a steady performance and thanks to the reliability of the car and engine, outlasting many of his rivals who suffered various breakdowns and malfunctions. Despite a faulty cylinder in his Porsche 936/77, Jürgen Barth completed his final two laps leading the race, the Inaltera driven by Rondeau narrowly failed to make the podium, finishing less than a lap behind the Porsche 935 driven by Claude Ballot-Léna and Peter Gregg, which came third behind the Mirage GR8 with Schuppan and Jarier at the wheel. The other car, driven by Christine Beckers and Lella Lombardi, finished eleventh, while the third car, with Beltoise and American Al Holbert, finished 13th.

Despite these promising results, a change in ownership at Inaltera ended funding arrangements and forced Jean Rondeau to break up the team. In 1978, the French driver made a comeback with a new team, this time bearing his name, and two years later he achieved a historic victory, becoming the first and only driver-constructor to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans.