JAA
JAEN
Mazda 787B, 1991 Le Mans overall winner, on display at the Mazda Museum with its R26B rotary engine.

787B787B Group C prototype (1991)

V0041

MAKER
MAZDA
YEARS
1991–
CODE
787B Group C prototype (1991)
TYPE
RACE CAR
ORIGIN
JAPAN
Photo: victor miyakawa / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons

01 — Overview

Built to a mix of Group C and IMSA GTP rules on a Kevlar-and-carbon monocoque, the four-rotor 787B won the 1991 24 Hours of Le Mans — the first win there by a Japanese manufacturer.

02 — Historical context

Historicalcontext.

  1. 01

    The 787 and 787B were built to a mix of FISA Group C and IMSA GTP rules, and were the last Wankel-powered cars to compete in the World and Japanese championships.

    Source: Mazda 787B — Wikipedia (English)
  2. 02

    The chassis is a Kevlar and carbon composite monocoque.

    Source: Mazda 787B — Wikipedia (English)
  3. 03

    The R26B used peripheral intake ports, continuously variable intake geometry and a third spark plug per rotor.

    Source: Mazda Wankel engine — Wikipedia (English)

03 — Exterior & interior

Mazda 787B in Renown livery (No. 55) at an exhibition stand in the UK.
Andrew Basterfield / CC BY-SA 2.0 / Wikimedia Commons

04 — Engineering

Technicalspecifications.

Engine exhibit

R26B

4-rotor Wankel · 2616 cc

Manufacturer
Mazda
Production
1991 – ongoing / not stated
Body styles
Group C / IMSA GTP sports prototype
Layout
Mid-engine (longitudinal), rear-wheel drive
Engine
R26B4-rotor Wankel · 2,616 cc · Naturally aspirated700 hp @ 9,000 rpmNote: Per English Wikipedia R26B section; the 787B article gives a 900 hp maximum reportedly limited to 700 hp at 9,000 rpm for Le Mans 1991, and elsewhere 650 hp at an 8,500 rpm limit — sources conflict
Transmission
5-speed manual (Mazda/Porsche)
Wheelbase
2,662 mm
Curb weight
830 kg
Units built
3Note: Three 787Bs built in 1991 (plus two 787s built in 1990)
People
Nigel Stroud

Figures follow the sources listed below. Values vary by market, variant and year; anything we could not verify is omitted. Power is shown in the unit the source used (PS / hp / kW).

05 — Motorsport

Ontrack.

Competition cars differ from the road car; the specifications above describe the road car.

  1. A 787B driven by Johnny Herbert, Volker Weidler and Bertrand Gachot won the 1991 24 Hours of Le Mans.

    Source: Mazda 787B — Wikipedia (English)

  2. It was the first Le Mans win by a Japanese manufacturer (the only one until Toyota in 2018) and remains the only win by a car without a reciprocating engine.

    Source: Mazda 787B — Wikipedia (English)

  3. The 787B debuted at the 1991 430 km of Suzuka.

    Source: Mazda 787B — Wikipedia (English)

06 — Gallery

Mazda 787B, 1991 Le Mans overall winner, on display at the Mazda Museum with its R26B rotary engine.
victor miyakawa / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons
Mazda 787B in Renown livery (No. 55) at an exhibition stand in the UK.
Andrew Basterfield / CC BY-SA 2.0 / Wikimedia Commons

07 — On film

Onfilm.

MotorsportOfficial channel

ルマン優勝30周年特別編集-”787B Introduction”

A close-up introduction to the Mazda 787B that won the 1991 Le Mans 24 Hours, filmed for the win's 30th anniversary.

Source: Mazda Official · YouTube

08 — Related

Relatedmachines.

09 — Sources

  1. 01Mazda 787B – WikipediaWikipedia · reference · accessed 2026-09-26
  2. 02Mazda Wankel engine – WikipediaWikipedia · reference · accessed 2026-09-26
  3. 03マツダ・787B – Wikipedia (ja)Wikipedia · reference · accessed 2026-09-26

10 — Photo credits

  • Mazda 787B, 1991 Le Mans overall winner, on display at the Mazda Museum with its R26B rotary engine.

    Mazda 787B

    Mazda 787B, 1991 Le Mans overall winner, on display at the Mazda Museum with its R26B rotary engine.

    Byvictor miyakawa

    CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

  • Mazda 787B in Renown livery (No. 55) at an exhibition stand in the UK.

    Mazda 787B

    Mazda 787B in Renown livery (No. 55) at an exhibition stand in the UK.

    ByAndrew Basterfield

    CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons