The Rondeau / Jaussaud driven #16 Rondeau M379B which won the 1980 Le Mans 24 Hours. An Altaya budget model & rather good.

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a123/jinxvrs/Rondeau/05010809.jpg
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a123/jinxvrs/Rondeau/05010810.jpg

Steve

Interesting car. Tell more about the manufacturer/driver Rondeau. I know all about Ford, Olds, Buick and Chrysler but I'd like to know more about the manufacturer Rondeau. - ranchero -

Interesting car. Tell more about the manufacturer/driver Rondeau. I know all about Ford, Olds, Buick and Chrysler but I'd like to know more about the manufacturer Rondeau. - ranchero -

Ranchero, Rondeau had competed, as a driver, at Le Mans for several years. In 1976, the Inaltera was Jean Rondeau's first attempt at building a car to race at Le Mans. The Inaltera, powered by the ubiquitous Cosworth V8, was named after the primary sponsors, who were a soft furnishings manufacturer - wallpaper & the like.

The cars ran as "works efforts" in 1976 & 1977 - there were two entries in '76 & three in '77 - there were no retirements & the best finish was the Rondeau / Ragnotti #88 in '77 which came home in 4th place.

One of the Inalteras was sold to Andre Chevalley, who entered it in the 1978 24 Hours - the car came home in 13th place, completing the cars 100% finishing record. In 1978, Rondeau himself, had designed a newer car - this time it was named after him - the Rondeau M378 - it came home 9th in the '78 24 Hours.

The M378 was the start of a successful campaign for Rondeau cars - the highlights being the win in 1980 & there was a 2-3 finish in 1981 as well. The subsequent M482 "ground effects" car was not a great design, although, private entries were seen up until 1987/88.

Rondeau was killed in 1985, in a accident at a railway crossing, when his car was hit by a train. It would appear he was trying to cross the railway track, even though the barrier was down indicating a train was imminent.

Thanks. That is very thorough.

What kind of car was he driving when the train hit him? That'd be a bit of interesting trivia to go with Ernie Kovacs - Corvair wagon, Jayne Mansfield - Buick Electra 225, Sam Kinison - Pontiac Firebird, James Dean, Princess Di, etc., etc.

Thanks. That is very thorough.

What kind of car was he driving when the train hit him? That'd be a bit of interesting trivia to go with Ernie Kovacs - Corvair wagon, Jayne Mansfield - Buick Electra 225, Sam Kinison - Pontiac Firebird, James Dean, Princess Di, etc., etc.

I seem to recall it was a Ford Sierra - but, I'm certainly not sure about that.

Thanks for the photos and the history. I had heard the name but I did not know the story behind it. He sounds like he was quite a guy.

I can relate to the feeling of wanting to cross when there is no train visible - but I have never done it. Too many fatals in my local vicinity alone that are always in memory to remind us not to do it. In fact, one time an engineer in a stopped train tried to wave me across in front of his idling locomotive at a four track crossing on my way to work. Somehow he didn't know that another train was coming up along his other side!! I couldn't believe it; thank goodness I didn't follow his signal or I would probably be dead! Yikes...

So back to the Rondeau: how does "le point" relate to ITT (if it does at all)?