Charles James and the epic of the Inaltera prototypes at the 24 Hours of Le Mans

Visionary and passionate, Charles James made history in the interior design industry by leading the famous company specializing in high-end wallpapers. His name will also remain associated with a unique adventure in motorsport: the commitment of Inaltera prototypes to the 24 Hours of Le Mans in the 1970's.

An ambitious collaboration with Jean Rondeau

In 1975, Jean Rondeau was looking for a sponsor to finance his prototype project for the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Convinced by the vision and energy of the Sarthe native, Charles James agreed to associate the name Inaltera with this adventure. The objective was clear: to promote the brand while highlighting French ingenuity in a prestigious international competition.

This is how the Inaltera GTP prototypes were born, cars designed for the new Grand Touring Prototype (GTP) category, which encourages the development of vehicles close to production GTs. With a lightweight and rigid aluminium monocoque chassis and a 8-litre Ford Cosworth DFV V3 engine, these cars aim to compete with the best.

Two Inaltera prototypes were entered in the 24 1976 Hours of Le Mans. Car #1, driven by Jean-Pierre Beltoise and Henri Pescarolo, finished 8th overall and won the GTP class. Car #2, driven by Christine Beckers, Jean Rondeau and Jean-Pierre Jaussaud, finished 21st, penalized by mechanical problems.

Inaltera at the foot of the podium in 1977

In 1977, the French team did even better. Driving their #77 Inaltera LM88 powered by a Ford Cosworth DFV 3.0L V8, Jean Ragnotti and Jean Rondeau won the GTP class, allowing the team to retain its title, and finished just off the podium in the overall standings. The female duo in the #2 car, composed of Lella Lombardi and Christine Beckers, took 11th place overall, two places ahead of Jean-Pierre Beltoise and Al Holbert in the #1 Inaltera.

Despite these fine results, including the particularity of seeing all of its cars at the finish, Inaltera's involvement ended the same year, Charles James then deciding to refocus the company's activities on its core business. Its legacy in motorsport and at the 24 Hours of Le Mans has however endured with Jean Rondeau's victory in the Sarthe classic in 1980.

The entire AUTOhebdo editorial team extends its sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of Charles James.