Rondeau
Rondeau
Founded
1978
Founder
Jean Rondeau
Country
France
Headquarters
Near Le Mans
Rondeau
Founded
1978
Founder
Jean Rondeau
Country
France
Headquarters
Near Le Mans
About this brand
Discover the history
Rondeau Automobiles, a French racing car constructor founded by Jean Rondeau, holds a special place in motorsport history. Jean Rondeau, a native of Le Mans, was driven by his passion for racing and endurance competitions. Initially, he participated as a driver, but when his racing career didn’t propel him to the top levels, he took the bold step of constructing his own cars. In 1976, Rondeau debuted with the Inaltéra, named after its sponsor, a wallpaper manufacturer. This marked the beginning of his journey as a constructor. His designs were tailored for endurance races, particularly the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans.
By 1978, Rondeau began producing cars under his own name. His most successful model, the Rondeau M379, gained significant attention in endurance racing circles. One of the highlights of Rondeau’s career came in 1980 when he became the first, and only, person to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans as both a driver and constructor. This victory, alongside co-driver Jean-Pierre Jaussaud, is one of the most memorable moments in the history of the race, especially as Rondeau’s team defeated established teams such as Porsche.
Rondeau cars performed well in subsequent years, and his team became a regular competitor in sports car racing throughout the early 1980s. In particular, the Rondeau M379-Cosworth continued to showcase strong performances, competing in several other endurance races across Europe. The cars were known for their reliability and ability to endure the punishing conditions of long-distance racing.
Despite the success on track, financial challenges and sponsorship difficulties began to plague Rondeau. By the mid-1980s, his operation faced struggles that would eventually lead to the closure of the team. Nevertheless, Rondeau’s legacy remains intact, particularly due to his unique achievement at Le Mans. His story is one of determination, a small constructor taking on much larger and more financially backed competitors, and achieving the ultimate success.
In motorsport history, Jean Rondeau’s name will always be associated with his triumph in 1980, which remains a testament to the resilience and innovative spirit of privateer racing teams in an era dominated by major manufacturers.
