1969 to 2019, from the Ligier JS1 to the Ligier JS2 R, Ligier is celebrating its 50th anniversary at Classic Days
The celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the French racing car manufacturer Ligier continue. After the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the French Historic Grand Prix, next up is the Classic Days on 6-7 July at Le Mans. From the make's debut in 1969 with the Ligier JS1 to today with the Ligier JS2 R, the anniversary GT, the cars that have marked this saga will be on show in the heart of the paddock.
For its 50th anniversary Ligier is taking its place among the pits at the Classic Days and putting on a display of a dozen cars both historic and modern. The Ligier JS1, the sports prototype which launched the make in 1969, will be one of them. Alongside it will be the racing version of the Ligier JS2 with its 1975 Ford Cosworth engine, the series production Ligier JS2, the make's only production car to date, and the Ligier JS3, the small open vehicle in BP colours, its sponsor at the time, introduced in 1971. Also on show is the Ligier JS21, the Formula 1 car driven by Jean-Pierre Jarier and Raul Boesel in 1983, still resplendent in its Ligier blue.
To tell the story of the make's revival, the Ligier JS P2 and the Ligier JS P3 whose development was followed by Guy Ligier will be on display. In addition, the Ligier JS P217, the make's latest generation LM P2, which finished third LM P2 in the 2018 Le Mans 24 Hours and fourth this year will be on view in the make's anniversary livery and that of the Association Mécenat Chirurgie Cardiaque celebrating its 10th anniversary at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The Ligier JS2 R, the anniversary GT brought out in 2018 that updates the lines of its elder, the Ligier JS2, is also on the stand.
The Art Car of the 50 years of Ligier painted by French artist, Nairone Defives, in only 24 hours during this year's 24 Hours of Le Mans will take pride of place on the stand in its sober black and white livery. The artist reinterpreted the make's DNA and succeeded in this unique challenge.
Jacques Laffite, the emblematic driver of the make, will be on hand with his daughter, Margot, the godmother of this event. Autograph sessions will be arranged over the two days. Michel Vaillant has also made a point of celebrating Ligier's 50th éanniversary with Jacques Laffite and his Ligier JS7 of the epoch. A special edition drawing limited to 300 copies will be offered at the Le Mans Bugatti circuit.
“The Classic Days have become a must-attend rendezvous where cars, drivers and the public meet up to share their passion for the history of motor sport,” explains Jacques Nicolet. “It's a great event at which to continue the celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the Ligier make! Endurance, F1, Art Car, we will be present over these two days to share our history with the public.”
Rendezvous on 6-7 July 2019 on the Le Mans Bugatti circuit for the Classic Days to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Ligier make. The same weekend, Ligier Automotive will be present at the Goodwood Festival of Speed on the other side of the Channel.
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Photo Credit: DPPI Images