1923 car Chenard et Walcker - Le Mans 1923

Chenard et Walcker - Le Mans 1923

Adobe Illustrator sketch © Paul Chenard 2000

As I accumulated books in my racing history library, I decided to create a bookplate to label them.

For me, it was obvious that it would be based on the first Le Mans winner in 1923, a 3-litre Chenard et Walcker Sport racer, driven by André Lagache and René Léonard. In fact, a Chenard et Walcker Sport also took second place. In the following year, Chenard et Walcker took 4th and 5th place.

Chenard et Walcker was a French automobile manufacturer that began in 1900, building some sports cars, but later focusing on mostly passenger cars and commercial vans. In 1946, they were taken over by Peugeot, at which point they built only light commercial vans.

Though we are of no relation, I love that we share our name. As I get a new (to me) book, I label it with this little piece of history.