1984 Lola T616 Mazda Le Mans Class Winner for Sale

The 1984 Lola T616 Mazda is a Group C2 sports prototype racing car that secured the C2 class victory at the 1984 24 Hours of Le Mans, powered by a Mazda 13B twin-rotor Wankel engine. Built by Lola Cars International and campaigned by the Mazdaspeed factory team, this historic endurance racer is now listed for sale in Malaysia starting at RM1.2 million. For Malaysian motorsport collectors and rotary enthusiasts, it represents a rare opportunity to own a genuine Le Mans class-winning prototype with direct lineage to Mazda's endurance racing programme.

Key Facts

The 1984 Lola T616 Mazda is a Le Mans C2 class-winning Group C2 prototype with a Mazda 13B rotary engine, currently offered for sale at RM1.2 million in Malaysia.

What Makes the 1984 Lola T616 Mazda Historically Significant?

The 1984 Lola T616 Mazda is historically significant because it secured the C2 class victory at the 1984 24 Hours of Le Mans, marking a milestone in Mazda's endurance racing programme. The car was driven by Yojiro Terada, Pierre Dieudonné, and Takashi Yorino, completing the gruelling 24-hour race to take the class win.

"The Lola T616 Mazda stands as a landmark in Mazda's motorsport heritage, demonstrating the reliability and performance of the rotary engine in endurance racing's most demanding event." — Careta.my, "1984 Lola T616 Mazda Le Mans Class Winner for Sale"

The 1984 Le Mans C2 class victory was part of a broader trajectory that culminated in Mazda becoming the first Japanese manufacturer to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans outright in 1991 with the 787B. The T616's 1984 win proved the rotary engine's endurance capability, a critical credibility milestone for Mazda's subsequent factory racing investments.

The 1984 Lola T616 Mazda is the only Mazda-powered Le Mans class winner from the Group C2 era currently listed for sale on the Malaysian market.

What Engine Powers the Lola T616 Mazda?

The Lola T616 Mazda is powered by a Mazda 13B twin-rotor Wankel rotary engine, a 1.3-litre powerplant producing approximately 310 bhp in race trim. The 13B rotary engine is the same engine family that would later power the Mazda RX-7 and eventually the Mazda 787B, which became the first Japanese car to win Le Mans outright in 1991.

The rotary engine's compact size and low weight were decisive advantages in the Group C2 category, allowing the Lola T616 to achieve competitive lap times with superior fuel efficiency — a critical factor in a 24-hour endurance race. The 13B's reliability over the full distance at Le Mans in 1984 directly informed Mazda's subsequent development of the four-rotor R26B engine used in the 787B.

The 13B rotary engine in the Lola T616 produces approximately 310 bhp, a power-to-weight ratio that remains competitive even by modern historic endurance racing standards.

Who Drove the 1984 Le Mans Class-Winning Lola T616?

The 1984 Le Mans class-winning Lola T616 was driven by three drivers: Yojiro Terada of Japan, Pierre Dieudonné of Belgium, and Takashi Yorino of Japan. Yojiro Terada was a long-time Mazda works driver who competed at Le Mans a record 29 times between 1974 and 2007.

Terada's connection to Mazda's rotary engine programme made him one of the most recognisable endurance racing drivers of his era. The driver lineup reflected Mazdaspeed's international approach to endurance racing, combining Japanese and European driving talent. Pierre Dieudonné brought European sports car experience from his career in the World Sportscar Championship, while Takashi Yorino was a rising Japanese prototype driver who later competed in All-Japan Sports Prototype Championship events.

Yojiro Terada, who competed at Le Mans 29 times, was one of the three drivers who piloted the Lola T616 Mazda to its 1984 C2 class victory.

Who Is This For in Malaysia?

The 1984 Lola T616 Mazda is intended for serious motorsport collectors, rotary engine enthusiasts, and investors in historic racing cars in Malaysia. With a starting price of RM1.2 million, this car targets the upper echelon of the Malaysian classic car market, where buyers typically own private collections and participate in historic racing events.

Malaysian buyers in this segment often store vehicles in climate-controlled facilities in areas such as Mont Kiara, Bangsar, or Sepang, where the tropical humidity requires careful preservation. The car's Mazda rotary engine also appeals to Malaysia's existing RX-7 and RX-8 enthusiast community, which has an established network of rotary specialists in the Klang Valley. Given Malaysia's 240V power standard and tropical climate, any buyer would need to factor in dehumidified storage and potential air-conditioned display environments to preserve the chassis and bodywork.

Malaysia's Mazda rotary enthusiast community, centred around the Klang Valley, provides a ready support network for maintaining a 13B-powered historic racer.

Common Questions

Can the 1984 Lola T616 Mazda be registered for road use in Malaysia?

No, the Lola T616 is a purpose-built Group C2 racing prototype and is not road-legal. It is intended for historic racing, private collections, or display at motorsport events. Malaysian buyers would require a trailer and appropriate transport arrangements for moving the car to and from circuits.

What is included in the RM1.2 million asking price?

The RM1.2 million starting price covers the Lola T616 chassis with its Mazda 13B rotary engine and race history documentation. Prospective buyers should verify what spares, bodywork, or additional components are included in the sale through direct negotiation with the seller listed on Careta.my.

Is the Lola T616 Mazda eligible for historic racing events in Asia?

Yes, the Lola T616 is eligible for FIA-approved historic racing events, including the Le Mans Classic and Asian historic racing series. Malaysian owners can participate in events at the Sepang International Circuit and regional historic racing weekends in Thailand and Japan.

Sources and Methodology

This article is based on the source material published by Careta.my, titled "1984 Lola T616 Mazda Le Mans Class Winner for Sale" (careta.my/article/lola-t616-mazda-1984-juara-kelas-le-mans-kini-untuk-dijual-bermula-rm-12-juta).

The asking price of RM1.2 million is stated in the original source as the starting price in Ringgit Malaysia, requiring no currency conversion. Historical specifications, driver information, and race results are drawn from publicly available motorsport records and the source article. Power output figures are approximate and based on period Group C2 regulations and Mazda factory data.

This article was last updated on 26 February 2025. Information specific to Malaysia was verified against the source article from Careta.my.