Current Formula 1 Constructors who’ve Won at Le Mans

Although when is an F1 Constructor not a winner at Le Mans?

 

Yeah, its another long winded No Fenders story turned into two part harmony. Or is that more groaning I hear?

 

As I’ve already covered the most successful Formula 1 constructor to win Le Mans overall. With the rest of the grid paling in comparison.

 

As I came up with the following trivia question. What do Mercedes and Williams share in common? As here’s what I came up with for winners, beside Ferrari.

 

Aston Martin: 1959

The Aston Martin DBR1 is the only other front engine winner at Le Mans. And yes, I realize that today’s Aston Martin F1 Team began life as Jordan Grand Prix, before Lawrence Stroll cleverly rebranded it as Aston Martin in 2021. Born out of the ashes of Force India and its interim name of Racing Point. Which dovetails nicely with His owning the controlling interest of their road car company.

 

As many will known, the David Brown owned Aston Martin Racing team designed the DBR1 for the 1956 Sports Car Championship season, before the upgraded 3.0-liter straight six cylinder lump’ was introduced in 1957.

 

After three years of frustration, Aston Martin achieved their greatest glory, winning that year’s 24 Heurs du Mans with Carroll Shelby and Roy Salvadori at its controls. While Aston Martin would also win the Sports Car Championship title that year. Only achieved three times that decade. With Ferrari doing likewise in 1954 and 1958.

 

Yet how many remember that Aston Martin during the David Brown Corporation era also entered Formula 1 briefly between 1959-60? Although by the time they got round to introducing the DBR4 it was obsolete. Along with the lighter, replacement DBR5, both being front engine layouts with straight six engines. When Sir Blackjack’, aka Jack Brabham was dominating the sport in His Cooper rear engine racecar…

 

Alpine: 1978

Alpine has a long, tangled relationship with Renault, its parent company. With today’s Alpine F1 Team having been rebranded from the latest iteration of Renault in 2021.

 

Although Alpine had been merged into Renault Sport in 1976. Nevertheless, it assimilation included its Sports Car racing programme.  Which Renault wished to win Le Mans for the prestige of winning on home soil.

 

Interestingly, there were actually four Renault-Alpine’s entered in the 1978 race, one being a customer entry, with different models entered. Including the controversial ‘Bubble” top roof which was only raced upon the winning Alpine A442B.

 

As Patrick Depailler and Jean-Pierre Jabouille in the latest A443, said the acrylic bubble top partial roof made them feel claustrophobic and trapped engine heat in the cockpit. Along with obscuring vision. Even though Depailler set a top speed of 236mph on the Mulsanne Straight! As the acrylic “canopy” gave the car an extra 5mph…

 

Thus it was Didier Pironi and Jean-Pierre Jaussaud winning aboard their bubble roof A442B.

 

And with the victory complete, Renault withdrew from endurance racing to focus their energies upon Formula 1. Before returning to endurance racing first with the A480, a rebadged Rebellion R13. Grandfathered into the ACO’sLMP1 Hypercar rules between 2021-22. And then today’s current factory Alpine A424 Hypercar programme. Which includes the likes of Mick Schumacher as one of the team’s six drivers.

 

Sauber: 1989

Peter Sauber began His long motorsports career by racing in Hill climbs in 1970 in a car of His own construction. While Sauber first competed at Le Mans in 1978 with its C5 Sports Car.

 

Sauber’s association with Mercedes Benz began in 1985, supplying engines for the Sauber C8 Group C chassis, with the C9 being introduced in 1987.

 

Sauber officially became the Mercedes Benz Werks Sports Car team the following year, and the C9 not only won at Le Mans in 1989, but also claimed the Constructors and Drivers titles that year.

 

The C9 was the second fastest car ever at Circuit de la Sarthe, recording a terminal velocity of 248mph, the magic 400kp/h on the Mulsanne Straight!

 

The renamed Mercedes Sauber C9 was replaced by the C11 for 1990, which also won the Constructors and Drivers titles again, before ultimately being replaced by the C291.

 

It was these “Silver Arrows” Sauber Sports Cars that I believe first brought my Attenzione to a young German driver named Herr Schumacher. As I tend to recall that Michael Schumacher, Heinz-Harald Frentzen and Karl Wendlinger drove together as Junior Drivers for Mercedes in Group C, before all three advanced to formula 1.

 

Sauber itself made the leap from Sports Car racing at the end of the Group C era to F1 in 1993 with Mercedes backing, taking over the supply of Leyton House March’s Ilmor V-10 lumps’. Having remained in F1 ever since under various guises. And will become the Werks Audi F1 Team next year.

 

McLaren: 1995

Presume everyone knows of the evocative McLaren F1 GTR winning le 24 Heurs du Mans with Lanzante Motorsports in 1995. With J.J. Letho, Yanick Dalmas and Kokusai Kaihatsu at the controls of the No. 59 LMGT1 entry.

 

As the racecar was developed from the original McLaren Supercar designed by Gordon Murray, with its unique three seat layout, seating the driver’s lone seat in the cabin’s centre.

 

As I’m guessing that McLaren is the only Constructor to have won Frederico Suave, nee Fred Alonso’s mythical “Triple Crown”, i.e.; Le Mans, Indianapolis 500 and either the Monaco Grand Prix or the F1 World Championship…

 

Williams: 1999

Yeah, technically Team Willy’s never won Le Mans, which I’m aware of. Yet I included them since Williams Grand Prix engineering designed, built and developed the winning BMW V-12 LMR Prototype that Yanick Dalmas, Pierluigi Martini and Joachim Winkelhock drove to victory that year.

 

RETRO: Remembering some of BMW’s Sports Racing Cars

 

The quick answer to my trivia question above is the year 1999. Although it was also when Mark Handlebarz’ Webber and other members of the Mercedes Werks team went airborne and spectacularly barrel-rolled their CLR Prototypes. Which had a nasty habit of somersaulting due to high speed aerodynamic deficiency, Youza! 

The most successful Formula 1 Constructor at Le Mans

The 1965 winning Ferrari 250LM on display at the IMS Hall of Fame museum, a very long time ago. (The Tomaso Collection)

 

Although this should be Uber’ Obvious!

 

Suppose this is what happens when you’re deep into listening to several hours of le 24 Heurs du Mans on Zed Intrawoods’ via RS1. (Radio Show Ltd, Channel One)

 

Thus I found myself going down another endless Wabbit’ Hole, wondering out loud how many of today’s Formula 1 constructors had also won overall at Le Mans? Which perhaps some of you already know the answer.

 

As it’s a pretty significant 70% “Strike” rate, with only three teams not competing at Circuit de la Sarthe. Although I’m left wondering if one prominent F1 constructor has ever sponsored a winning entry? While arguably, 60% of the current F1 grid has actually won Le Mans.

 

(12) Ferrari: 1949, 1954, 1958, 1960-65, 2023-25

The Prancing Horse’s list of winners reads like a veritable Who’s who? Although not sure that could be said about most of today’s drivers, but who knows, Eh? Since thee Krakow Kid certainly is a “Star”.

 

Luigi Chinetti got the “Ball” rolling, no Hut-Hut Omaha jokes here! For Il Commendatore, nee Enzo Ferrari in 1949, some Gory 76 years ago! Driving the iconic “Red Barchetta”, the evocative Ferrari 166MM. With Chinetti driving an unheard of 23 Hours! While co-driver Peter Michell-Thompson, better known as Lord Selsdon, owner of the Ferrari. Drove for only an hour Sunday morning, around 4:25AM. As it was Chinetti’s third and final victory.

 

1954 saw Doce Argentinians winning for la Scuderia, with El Maestro and El Cabezon victorious. As Five-times F1 World Champion Juan Manuel Fangio needs no introduction! Teamed with Jose Froilan Gonzalez, better known as the Pampas Bull. Who also gave Ferrari its debutante Grand Prix victory at Silverstone in 1951.

 

F1: The British Grand Prix - Now and Then

 

As the Argentine duo were entered in a Ferrari 375+. With another four years passing by, before we get to la Scuderia’s Golden years.

 

In 1958, Olivier Gendebien and Phil Hill won Le Mans aboard a Ferrari 250 TR58. Which would be the first of Gendebien’s eventual four Le Mans victories, while Hill would claim three wins.

 

Driving the front engine Ferrari 250 TR58, the pair won Le Mans for the first of their eventual combined three wins. As not sure why? But in 1960, Gendebien won behind the wheel of a Ferrari 250 TR59/60 with Paul frere, whom I remember better as a longtime contributor to Road & Track.

 

As I now know the answer to this unasked question. Ironically Hill was paired with Wolfgang von Trips in one of that year’s five Ferrari’s. With both von Trips and Ludovico Scarfiotti running out of fuel on lap-22 on-track. While eventual winner Gendebien also ran out of petrol, but was able to coast into the pits, Momma Mia!

 

Next, Gendebien reunited with Phil Hill for the pair’s second victory at Circuit de la Sarthe in 1961. Behind the keyboard of the aging, or should that be ageless? Ferrari 250 TRI/61.

 

For 1962, Gendebien and Hill won for the third time together, with Gendebien becoming the first ever four times winner. Driving a Ferrari 330 TRI/LM Spyder, the final front engine winner at Le Mans.

 

While I just learned that the “I” designation in TRI stands for “Indipendente”, for independent rear suspension. As TR stands for Testa Rossa, arguably some of la Scuderia’s most beautiful racecars!

 

This Le Mans specific 330 TRI/LM Spyder began life as a 250 TRI/60 Fantuzzi Spyder. Being rebuilt twice after wrecks in the Targa Florio, along with contesting the 1960-61 24 Heurs du Mans.

 

Then regulations allowed Ferrari to rebuild the car into its final configuration with a larger 4.0-litre normally aspirated V-12 and new bodywork. Which obviously was a different era for racecars…

 

1963 featured the first rear engine winner, the Ferrari 250P piloted by Lorenzo Bandini and Ludovico Scarfiotti. With Jean Guichet and Mino Baccarella winning behind the wheel of an “enlarged” 3.3-litre v-12 Ferrari 275P the following year.

 

Then for 1965, Ferrari won for the sixth year in-a-row thanks to the largely unexpected triumph of the privateer North American Racing Team’s (N.A.R.T.) Ferrari 250LM. Driven primarily by Masten Gregory and Jochen Rindt. Along with the unrecognized Ed Hugus.

 

As I won’t even bother trying to explain the controversy surrounding the 250LM and Enzo not getting His way with Homologation! With Scuderia Ferrari racing at Le Mans until 1973, when they quit Sports car racing.

 

Arse-suming Y’all know the story behind Ferrari’s current 499P, which carry’s the Nos. 50-51 in deference to it being a half century since the last factory entry at Le Mans. As the 499P is built to the Le Mans Hypercar regulations, with two Werks’ entries, plus a third “customer” entry contesting the FIA World Endurance Championship. (WEC)

 

While the 499P shares the same 296 GTB 3.0-liter V-6 twin turbos architecture. It is a fully stressed member in the 499P Prototype. And its front axle electric motors generates an additional 268bhp, give the racecar semi-permanent All Wheel Drive.

 

Debuting at Sebring in 2023, the 499P was victorious at that year’s Centenary edition of the 24 Heurs du Mans. With the No. 51 of Antonio Giovinazzi, Alessandro Pier Guidi and James Calado ending Toyota’s five year win streak.

 

Ferrari repeated at Le Mans the following year, this time with the Seester Factory entry #50 of Antonio Fuoco, Miguel Molina and Nickolas Nielsen. While AF Corse introduced the third “customer” 499P with Robert Kubica, Robert Shwartzman and Yifei Ye. With the No. 83 winning the Lone Star Le Mans race at Circuit Of The Americas. (COTA)

 

This June, Ferrari completed a Hat trick of Le Mans victories, this time with the customer No. 83 entry of Kubica, Ye and Phil Hanson. Bringing the Prancing Horse’s Le Mans win tally to twelve, one behind Audi. (13) As Audi ranks second overall, while Porsche leads the way with an astounding 19 Le Mans victories!

Current Ferrari Models lineup

Tomaso “Strikes the Pose” with a brace of Ferrari 488 GTB’s in Scottsdale. The Tomaso Collection)

 

Uhm, should I take the red one, the white or some other Prancing Horse languishing at the Penske Auto Group’s facility in Scottsdale?

 

For humour, I “Googled” 2025 current Ferrari production model lineup and got the following answer from la Scuderia’s official website.

 

Since Curious Minds wanna Know, following my riveting No Fenders Penske Racing Museum Eye Candy yarn…

 

The current roll call begins with the brand new Ferrari F80. Followed by the  SF90 Stradale, SF90 Spyder, 296 GTB, 296 GTS, 12Cilindri, 12Cilindri Spyder, Purosangue, Amalfi, Roma Spyder, 296 Speciale, 296 Speciale A, SF90 XX Stradale, SF90 XX Spyder, 812 Competizione A, and the Icona series Monza SP1, Monza SP2 and Daytona SP3.

 

Have to say this was far more models than I was expecting, Momma Mia! As some of these model names are obvious; 12Cilindri for example. While others I’ve just learned about for the first time, i.e.; F80, Amalfi, Purosangue, 12Cilindri and Icona series…

 

Although many of you will be several miles  ahead of Mwah about this, Ci!

 

The Ferrari F80 is Maranello’s 80th Anniversary model. (2027) With the 799 units based upon the same 296 GTB platform. With styling inspired by the iconic F40 and Daytona SP3. Along with styling cues from the 365/GT4 Daytona and 12Cilindri. And features Butterfly doors, whatever that means?

 

Yet this Ferrari sounds like a total Beast! With its 3.0-litre tin-turbo V-6 engine mated to three electric motors, with the hybrid having All-wheel drive. Derived from the All conquering 499P with a staggering total 1,184bhp, Bravo! With 888bhp from the Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) alone, thanks to the whopping 55.1psi turbo boost – the highest in a production car ever.

 

Ferrari claims 0-100kp/h (62mph) acceleration in 2.15 seconds. 0-200kp/h (124mph) in 5.75 seconds. And a top speed of 350kp/h, (217mph) Momma Mia!

 

The 12Cilindri is la Scuderia’s current front engine 12 Cylinder Grand Tourer, hence its name. It utilizes the same 6.5-litre V-12 lump’ found in the 812 Competizione, and is the successor of the 812 Superfast.

 

The Purosangue is Ferrari’ luxury five door SUV, albeit la Scuderia prefers “Utility Vehicle”. Based upon the Roma platform, the front engine utility vehicle sports the current 6.5-litre V-12 engine. And is designed to compete against other luxury SUV’s, a la Lamborghini’s Urus and Aston Martin’s DBX models. As suppose Maranello couldn’t forgo this lucrative market segment any longer, ci?

 

The Amalfi is the forthcoming 2+2 Grand Tourer replacement for the outgoing Roma Berlinetta, set to debut in 2027.

 

Whilst I’m not even going to try describing the unknown of Icona series Speciale models, and instead, let somebody else do the heavy lifting.

 

Ferrari Icona Series: The Ultimate Guide

 

6 Cilindri engines (5)

296 GTB, 296 GTS, 296 Speciale, 296 Speciale A and F80.

 

8 Cilindri engines (6)

SF90 Stradale, SF90 Spyder, Roma Spyder, SF90 XX Stradale, SF90 XX Spyder and Amalfi.

 

12 Cilindri engines (7)

812 Competizione A, 12Cilindri, 12Cilindri Spyder, Purosangue and Icona series, i.e.; Monza SP1, Monza SP2 and Daytona SP3. 

Penske Auto group: Cinco Ferrari’s

Five shiny Prancing Horses in Penske Auto Group’s stable. (The Tomaso Collection)

 

Tomaso standing in front of a row of five Ferrari’s: One is silver, than black, then red, then white, then red.

 

Apologies for not having any description of what Ferrari models these are? Parked outside at the Penske Auto Group’s Mega’ Dealership in Scottsdale, Arizona.

 

Photo c/o Blogmeister Miguel 

Penske Auto group: Ferrari Six Pack

The perfect, exotic summer six pack of Prancing Horses rounded up at Penske’s stable. (The Tomaso Collection)

 

Tomaso standing in front of a row of Ferraris. (six of them) Gray, white, gray, gray, White and then red.

 

Apologies for not having any description of what Ferrari models these are? Parked outside at the Penske Auto Group’s Mega’ Dealership in Scottsdale, Arizona.

 

Photo c/o Blogmeister Miguel 

Some Eye Candy outside the Penske Racing Museum

Hmm, that sure is a strange lookin’ Ferrari Vern! (The Tomaso Collection)

 

As why is Supertramp’s Dreamer, You know You’re A Dreamer song playing in my Head right now. You’re Nothing but A Dreamer, Tomaso!

 

Trying to “Stitch” together the languishing thoughts of another great visit to the Penske Racing Museum this past March. Which naturally is fading away, since time simply marches on, Hut One-Two-four!

 

Traipsing thru the Penske Racing Museum, Again

 

As here’s what I initially scribbled upon my return home, which I’ve tried adding more context to, along with my usual corrections…

 

A lone Lamborghini Huracan Evo sat parked alongside a stable of Prancing Horses. Next to a Ferrari F8 Tributo, followed by a Ferrari Roma. Then a pair of SF90 Stradale’s followed by quattro 296GTB’s; ranging in cost from $320k to $400k, Aye Karumba! Although I believe that the F8 Tributo was above $500,000, Sheisa!

 

Pretty sure I had another of my “Strike the Pose” pictures snapped standing between a pair of Ferrari 488’s. Initially thinking that one was  a coupe and the other being a Spyder model. Although later, Blogmeister’ Miguel informed me they both appeared to be Coupes.

 

Have to say my only minor disappointment was the fact that there were no 296 GTS models for sale, albeit these were the previously owned models holding court outside in the Penske Auto Group’s voluminous parking lot…

 

As how can one be disappointed with being able to freely saunter around such a stunning collection of previously owned Ferrari’s and Lamborghini’s! While having Blinders for all of the other luxury brands, i.e.; Aston Martin, Bentley, etc. Including the Joey “Sliced Bread” Lagano Ford Mustang GT Taxicab Bomber, Zoink!

 

Ironically, Lagano just broke “The King”, aka Richard Petty’s record for being the youngest driver to reach 600 starts at Dover, being some six month younger than Petty…

 

They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder. But being Blind, have I mentioned that lately, Y’all? Naturally I was nervous posing around such expensive automobile finery with my white cane. Which contrary to many, is not a walking or hiking stick, seriously people?

 

Blogmeister Miguel made sure I didn’t get too close to any of these beautiful Ferrari’s. Or whack ‘em with my cane!

 

Naturally I have zero clue what looks better? The Huracan, F8 Tributo or Roma? Although I know which of these three I would choose to own…

 

Thought that the F8 Tributo was the final Ferrari built with its traditional V-8 engine, to which Miguel immediately told me that the Roma had a V-8, so what do I know, Ci?

 

As both the F8 Tributo and Roma utilize Ferrari’s Tipo 154 CV 3.9-litre twin turbocharged V-8 engine, that first debuted in the 2013 488 GTB. Which contrary to my rudimentary knowledge of Ferrari’s model naming conventions, for which there appears little, Ci? The 488 denotes the actual per “Cilindri” cubic volume (CC) of its v-8 engine. Hmm, I just learned something new, Magnifico!

 

As the Tipo 154 V-8 engine was the first turbocharged motor developed by Ferrari since the F40’s Tipo 120A Wayback’ in 1987.

 

Both the F8 Tributo and Roma utilize seven speed sequential dry sump automatic transmissions. Arse-sumedly with Ferrari’s de riggour steering wheel paddle shifters.

 

The F8 Tributo is a two door mid-engine layout, whilst the Roma is a front engine 2+2 model. Both presumably with plenty “O Horsepower to Giddie Up!

 

As the F8 Tributo has 710bhp on “tap” to claimed 0-62mph in 2.9 seconds. 0-124mph in 7.6 seconds and a top speed of 211mph,Magnifico!

 

Whilst Road & Track reportedly flogged their U.S. spec model thru the Quarter mile in 10.3 seconds at 132.8mph. Making Ferrari’s 0-100kp/h (62mph) and 0-200kp/h (124mph) claims slower then stated, but its still no slouch!

 

The SF90 Stradale, a la F8 Tributo also debuted in 2019. While the soon to be out of production Roma debuted in 2020. And is la Scuderia’s first plug-in hybrid automobile It uses a slightly enlarged 4.0-litre version of the Tipo 154 V-8 twin-turbo engine, which as been produced in four various capacities.

 

Fitted with an eight speed dual clutch automatic dry sump transmission. The car utilizes three electric motors, one on the transmission, and one on each front wheel. Developing a staggering 986bhp total output!

 

Ferrari claims the SF90 can reach 0-62mph in 2.5 seconds, 0-124mph in 6.7 seconds and has a top speed also of 211mph. Which I’d say is very impressive since I’d Arse-sume the electric motors and battery add significant weight to the car.

 

The SF90 Stradale comes in two body configurations, i.e.; Berlinetta or Spyder. The latter being an electronically driven retractable hardtop.

 

While the 296 GTB’s seem almost not worth discussing, especially with four various “garden” variety 296 GTB’s parked together.

 

But its hard to scoff at any Ferrari, and the 296 GTB is a serious piece of Kit as those Bloody Brits would say. Even if it utilizes a 3.0-litre twin-turbo V-6 in place of la Scuderia’s traditional V-8 engines…

 

Joey Lagano’s No. 22 Ford Mustang GT racecar photo inside Penske Racing Museum c/o Blogmeister Miguel. 

The Tomaso files: More McMurtry musings

As no more cowboy Jokes here…

 

Yeah, Y’all may be saying why am I scribblin’ about Larry McMurtry on No Fenders, Eh? But He does have a slight connection to automobiles, in the sense He loved road trips for much of His life. Not to mention renting the latest Lincoln or Cadillac for these Coast-to-coast jaunts…

 

As Larry would routinely ask His uncle or somebody where does Highway 271 go to? Apparently the only major road passing His Grandfather’s ranch in Archer City. To which whomever He asked? Would always grunt derisively and say nowhere…

 

Following High School graduation, Larry entered Rice University in Houston, when admission was free to white students. Although Rice had warned Him that His math skills were deficient. And following His first year, He transferred to University of North Texas. Being closer to home, where He also had a High School Buddy attending. Graduating with a BA in 1958, before returning to Rice for His MA in 1960.

 

Larry also was a Wally Stegner Fellow between 1960-61, where His classmates included Ken Kesey, Wendell Berry, Peter S. Beagle and Gurney Norman in Stanford’s Creative Writing Center. Honing His Fiction writing skills, and presumably working upon what would become His first published novel Horseman, pass By, also in 1961.

 

McMurtry notes that Ken Kesey entered the classroom and made a Beeline to the front of the room, letting the rest know He intended to be the class’s Alpha male, albeit Kesey and McMurtry would be friends for many years.

 

Returning to Houston in 1963, taking teaching roles at Texas Christian University (TCU) and Rice. Larry would be visited by Kesey and the Merry Pranksters in Kesey’s psychedelic painted converted school bus enroute to New York city for the 1964 World’s Fair. As this adventure would later be chronicled in Tom Wolfe’s 1968 novel The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test, about the 1960’s Counter Culture revolution.

 

McMurtry called the decade between Terms of Endearment and Lonesome dove His most fallow period of writing, publishing just three novel. Which if I have them correctly? Are Somebody’s Darling, (1978) Cadillac Jack (1982) and The Desert Rose. (1983) With some critics denoting these three books as the Trash Trilogy, Youch!

 

As Larry Himself notes that He started and stopped on the writing of Lonesome dove three times. And at some 900-1,200 pages was taking seriously long to develop, especially since the Cattle drive had another 1,000 miles to go…

 

McMurtry was a raconteur of food and enjoyed going out to dinner for a good meal with beautiful women. As He was good friends with both Cybill Sheppard and Diane Keaton to name just a few.

 

Larry wore large polo shirts to hide his increasing girth and when in Archer City, had a cheeseburger for lunch everyday at the local DQ’. (Dairy Queen)

 

Sometime in Fall of 1991, after a typical day’s activities of writing five to ten pages and moving books from His ranch house to His Archer City bookstore. Larry hit a cow on a gravel road, which He claimed was normal in rural Texas…

 

The next day He stopped at His Internist to get some medicine for a cough that wouldn’t go away, thinking it was from lugging around dusty books. The Doctor said He didn’t look so good and ordered an EKG, before saying OMG, you’re having a heart attack!

 

Yet the room He was in was so small they couldn’t get the stretcher into it, but wouldn’t allow Him to walk out of the room. So the stretcher had to be disassembled, before the starstruck ambulance driver drove off a high curb after learning it was the author of Lonesome dove He was transporting! Causing the IV bags to jostle and the needles pull upon Larry strapped on a gurney…

 

Next, an Angiogram was performed, with Larry watching on a four inch screen the insides of His heart, learning He had at least three major arteries blocked and needed immediate bypass surgery! But McMurtry needed to finish the book He was writing first, The Evening Star an immediate sounded like six months to Him. Which sounds like a typical writer to Mwah…

 

On December 2, 1991 after much convincing by His Doctors, telling Larry He’d feel fine right up until the day He keeled over! McMurtry underwent quadruple heart bypass surgery, where He was put on a heart lung machine; to continue blood and oxygen while the heart is stopped. And then His heart was removed from His chest cavity and put into a cooler at 28 degrees Celsius while doctors rerouted His veins past the major blockages, grafting veins from His feet or legs.

 

four hours later, they simply reinstalled His heart and with everything re-attached, shocked His heart back into beating and “buttoned” Him up!

 

As I must say that this analogy comes from watching myriads of TV car builder shows made me instantly think of when they go to fire the new engine for the first time. And that I had to re-read this section a second time for clarity…

 

Since the first time I heard the part about removing His heart when listening to the book in the evening, I kind of got the creeps wondering to myself is this how they performed my open heart surgery? Although I’m 98% certain that my heart wasn’t removed from my body, but it’s a very chilling thought afterwards…

 

 Even stranger yet is how McMurtry simply rested for ten days at His Georgetown dwelling before resuming life as normal, i.e.; driving to Texas for Christmas, albeit avoiding His mother as much as possible! And then just going back to His normal working life of running a rare book store, writing, etc. As this seems very odd to me, especially since I couldn’t do anything initially, besides sleep! Along with zero strenuous activity for the first eight weeks…

 

Thus, He lived nearly another thirty years after having quadruple heart bypass surgery at the end of 1991. And suffered from great depression following His surgery before writing Streets of Laredo with writing partner Diana Ossana.

 

As Diana was instrumental in bringing Him out of His “funk”, with McMurtry recovering at Her house in Tucson. And would transcribe Larry’s written draft written in Her kitchen onto the computer.

 

As Larry initially would write five pages a day on an old typewriter, and during His initial recovery period would write 90mins each morning.

 

Interestingly, Larry McMurtry married Norma Fay Kesey, the widow of Ken Kesey in 2011, in His hometown of Archer City. Larry was 74 and Faye was 76.

 

Ken Kesey was the author of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, which ironically just celebrated the movie’s 50th anniversary on July 13th &16th. When the re-released movie was shown on limited theatres in Washington and Oregon. Although supposedly this was occurring nationwide.

 

Wasn’t aware that Michael Douglass was the producer of the film, which stars Jack Nicholson and Danny DeVito.

 

As the movie was nominated for nine Oscar awards, although Douglass said He had to work very hard to get Nicholson to attend the awards ceremony. As Nicholson had been nominated five times and failed to win five times previously.

 

Striking out on the first four nominations, Nicholson began lambasting Douglass, who said Hang in there Jack. Before the movie swept the five “biggies”, i.e.; Best Picture, Director, Actor,, Actress and Screenplay.

 

Which had only occurred once before in 1934 for It Happened One Night. And only once since for Silence of the Lambs. (1991)

 

Kesey grew up in Springfield, Oregon and graduated from the University of Oregon, and was a longtime resident of Eugene. Before dying at age 66 in November, 2001.

 

While McMurtry was a prolific writer, with some 40 novels alone written. Not to mention His massive screenplay writing career for both film and television.

 

As McMurtry’s novels adapted for film garnered 34 Oscar nominations, and won 13. Including McMurtry and Diana Ossana co-winning for Best Adaptive Screenplay for Brokeback Mountain in 2005.

 

As Larry made His portion of His acceptance speech wearing jeans and cowboy boots underneath His tuxedo jacket. Thanking His typewriter and urging everyone to support books, for which without, there would be no stories.

 

And this doesn’t even include all of the Emmy nominations and awards His Lonesome Dove mini-series and television work received…