Remembering Alain de Cadenet: Privateer Legend & Automotive Curator

1976 Circuit de la Sarthe — 13.6 km Telemetry Simulator

LAP 1 / RUNNING

Speed

0.0 MPH

Cosworth DFV RPM

1,500

Sector Top Speed

214.6 MPH

Lap Time

3:42.8

Privateer Engineering Rig

HISTORIC VEHICLE PRESET

Rear Wing Rake & Trim 3.5° (Low Drag)

Lower rake maximises Mulsanne Straight 214+ mph top speed at the expense of Porsche Curves downforce.

Hewland 5th Gear Ratio 0.82 (Tall Mulsanne)

Optimises 10,200 RPM Cosworth DFV peak power band along the 6 km straight.

Manual Throttle Delivery 100%

The Privateer Who Defied Factory Titans

Alain de Cadenet (1945–2022) was one of motorsport’s most charismatic, resourceful, and romantic figures. In an era when endurance racing was increasingly dominated by well-funded factory juggernauts like Porsche, Matra, and Renault-Alpine, Alain proved that British privateer ingenuity, sharp eye for engineering talent, and pure grit could claim podium glory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

"We had virtually no money, a secondhand Cosworth DFV Grand Prix engine, and a few pints of beer in the paddock. But we knew how to make a car slippery enough to roar down the Mulsanne at 215 miles per hour."

The Gordon Murray Collaboration (1972)

In 1972, Alain famously persuaded a young Brabham Formula 1 designer named Gordon Murray to pen the aerodynamic Duckhams LM Special on Murray’s kitchen table after hours. It established Alain's hallmark formula: packaging an ultra-reliable 3.0-litre Ford Cosworth DFV V8 inside a bespoke, low-drag monocoque chassis.

Podium Triumph (1976)

In 1976, driving alongside Chris Craft in the Lola-based De Cadenet LM, Alain accomplished the unthinkable: finishing 3rd Overall (and 1st in Group 6 Privateer) behind only the turbocharged factory Porsche 936s, outlasting works entries on a fraction of their budget.

1976 24 Hours of Le Mans Technical Contrast

How Alain de Cadenet's naturally aspirated 3.0L privateer package compared against works machinery:

Car & Entrant	Engine / Power	Top Speed	Result
De Cadenet LM Alain de Cadenet / Craft	Ford-Cosworth DFV 3.0L V8 465 bhp @ 10,200 rpm	214.6 mph	3rd Overall (1st Privateer)
Porsche 936 Martini Racing (Works)	Type 935 2.1L Turbo Flat-6 520 bhp @ 8,000 rpm	223.5 mph	1st Overall
Mirage M8 Grand Touring Cars	Ford-Cosworth DFV 3.0L V8 465 bhp @ 10,000 rpm	211.2 mph	2nd Overall
Alpine-Renault A442 Renault Sport (Works)	2.0L Turbo V6 490 bhp @ 9,800 rpm	217.0 mph	DNF (Engine)

Broadcasting & Curation Legacy

Beyond Le Mans, Alain brought automotive history alive for millions as host of Victory by Design, piloting legendary Alfa Romeo 8C 2900s, Ferraris, and Aston Martins at race pace. His nonchalant duck under a low-flying Supermarine Spitfire during a TV shoot remains one of broadcasting's most iconic moments.