Aston Martin entered the 1959 sports car season targeting just a single race, Le Mans, but walked away the deserving winner of an almost accidental Championship

Away at the drop of the flag, Moss has already exited stage right to lead the early going, while the eventual winner (#5) can be seen upper left center. Photo: Carroll Shelby Collection

Half a century ago, the Circuit de la Sarthe wound its way through the French countryside just beyond the city limits of Le Mans on mostly rural roads that were closed to public traffic during the town’s annual 24-hour motor race—of which, the 1959 edition would be the 27th. Along many sections of the 8.364-mile race course not much thought had been given to guardrails, for only slight wire or wooden fences separated farmers’ fields from the roadway, and small road signs and large trees stood unprotected just off the edge of the pavement at various points along the route. In other, more “developed” areas, elevated earthen embankments provided both semi-protected viewing spots for spectators and space for strategically placed advertising banners.

The 24 Hours of Le Mans is an automobile race unlike any other, and while some may share its twice-around-the-clock format, none can match its combination of history and ambience. Further, nothing in all of motor sport—save, perhaps, the frenzied aftermath of a Ferrari triumph in the Italian Grand Prix at Monza—rivals its victory ceremony played out before the assembled masses flocking in from their viewing spots around the circuit to congregate on the main straight and worship at the feet of their conquering heroes.