Amazing images from Rainer Schlegelmilch

Polesetter Jim Clark, Lotus, John Surtees, Cooper, Jackie Stewart, BRM, and Ludovico Scarfiotti, Ferrari on the front row

Jim Clark, Lotus 49

Le Mans: Pedro Rodriguez, Lorenzo Bandini and Mike Parkes are the first three starters

Jackie Stewart, Matra

Denny Hulme, McLaren Ford-Cosworth

Phil Hill

A Cooper-Maserati T81

Drivers briefing

Kurt Ahrens, Brabham-Repco BT24 V8

Jack Brabham

#1 Ken Miles, is getting jumped at the start by John Whitmore's Ford #8, Mike Parkes' Ferrari #20, Jo Bonnier's Chaparral-Chevrolet #9 and Bob Bondurant's Ferrari #8

Jochen Rindt in pits with his time-keeping wife Nina and Lotus team boss Colin Chapman

Ayrton Senna straps in to his Lotus cockpit

Alain Prost, McLaren

1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta

Fernando Alonso, Ferrari

Matra mechanics and Jackie Stewart's wife, Helen

Ayrton Senna, McLaren

1985 Lamborghini Countach LP 5000 S QV

Jean Alesi, Eddie Irvine, crash

Michael Schumacher, Benetton Renault

Alessandro Nannini, Benetton

Michele Alboreto, Ferrari

#2 Jaguar XJR-9LM: Jan Lammers, Johnny Dumfries, Andy Wallace

Bertone Lamborghini Bravo

Bertone Carabo, based on Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale

Michael Schumacher, Benetton Renault

Niki Lauda, Ferrari 312T2

Stefan Bellof with team boss Ken Tyrrell

A Renault at dusk

Ronnie Peterson, STP March

Jo Siffert, Porsche

Sun trap, F1-style

Drivers briefing

Jackie Stewart

Jack Brabham, Brabham, in front of Jackie Oliver, BRM, Ronnie Peterson, March, and Henri Pescarolo, Matra

The last 'true' Le Mans start: Drivers had sprinted to their cars with Rolf Stommelen, Porsche 917, in the lead, followed by Vic Elford's and Jo Siffert's Porsche

Bruce McLaren, McLaren

Lotus drivers Jim Clark and Graham Hill with Walter Hayes, public relations executive for Ford

James Hunt