PAST SpeedBEAST - In the year 1950, the 24-Hours of Le Mans regulations opened the door for an intriguing chapter in automotive history, allowing standard cars to undergo a fascinating transformation. This era witnessed the birth of one of the most peculiar cars to grace the legendary La Sarthe circuit.
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The Cadillac 'Le Monstre' was one of two Cadillac Coupe DeVille Series 61s prepared by Frick-Tappett Motors for Briggs Cunningham to grace the starting line at the 1950 24-Hours of Le Mans. (Picture from: ConceptCarz) |
Briggs Cunningham, a visionary automotive enthusiast, seized this opportunity by bringing two Frick-Tappett Motors-prepared Cadillac Coupe DeVille Series 61s to the racing scene. The first car retained its original form, standing as a testament to the standard configuration, which the French dubbed Petit Pataud.
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The Cadillac 'Le Monstre' and its sibling Cadillac Coupe DeVille Series 61 'Petit Pataud' in their hey-day run at the 1950 24-Hours of Le Mans. (Picture from: TopGear) |
However, it was the second car that stole the spotlight, boasting a body that defied convention. Crafted from aluminum by Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation, the unconventional bodywork aimed to maximize straight-line performance. This design was particularly crucial on the Mulsanne Straight, a 5.95 km stretch of the Le Mans track, accounting for nearly half of the total 13.5 km length. The car not only showcased a unique low and boxy exterior but also demonstrated a superior top speed, reaching 24 km/hour compared to its conventional counterpart.
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The Cadillac 'Le Monstre' crafted from aluminum by Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation, the unconventional bodywork aimed to maximize straight-line performance. (Picture from: RevsInstitute) |
Despite its seemingly brick-like exterior, the car's narrow design, refined through extensive wind tunnel testing, contributed to its aerodynamic prowess. Surprisingly, it outpaced its teammate, achieving a remarkable top speed of 130 mph (209.22 kph) – a notable 13 mph (20.92 kph) higher.
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The Cadillac 'Le Monstre' not only showcased a unique low and boxy exterior but also demonstrated a superior top speed, reaching 24 km/hour compared to its conventional counterpart 'Petit Pataud'. (Picture from: SuperRask) |
Dubbed Le Monstre by the French media, the car, driven by Briggs Cunningham and Phil Walter, left a lasting impression. Despite the initial promise shown by Le Monstre, the experiment faced an unfortunate end. The absence of a spade, a cruc ial tool for the race, proved costly as the car became ensnared in a sandbank. Compounded by a gearbox issue, Le Monstre concluded the race in the 11th position, trailing just behind its standard Coupe counterpart driven by Collier brothers, Miles and Sam Collier.
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