The 1952 24 Hours of Le Mans was the 20th Grand Prix of Endurance, and took place on June 14–15 1952 at Circuit de la Sarthe.
Less than a decade after World War II, Mercedes-Benz scored a 1–2 victory with their Mercedes-Benz 300SL (Type W194) which was equipped with a 3.0L I6 engine that had less power than the road car sold two years later.
This race was notable in that Pierre Levegh attempted to drive the entire 24 Hours by himself – and almost won. Exhausted in the 24th hour, he missed a downshift in his Talbot-Lago and over-revved the engine, breaking a connecting rod. Anthony Lago carried a piece of the broken rod with him for several years thereafter as a keepsake.
Read more about 1952 24 Hours Of Le Mans: Official Results, Statistics, Trophy Winners
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—William Shakespeare (1564–1616)
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Sing Heav’nly Muse, that on the secret top
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In the Beginning how the Heav’ns and Earth
Rose out of Chaos:”
—John Milton (1608–1674)