10. Mazda 787B (LM-1991, 1990-1991)
While not a road-going sports car, the 787B deserves inclusion for its unparalleled impact on endurance racing and Mazda’s rotary legacy. Designed explicitly for competition, its naturally aspirated 2.6-liter four-rotor 26B engine produced over 700 horsepower and was mated to a lightweight, carbon-fiber-reinforced monocoque.
In 1991, driven by Johnny Herbert, Volker Weidler, and Bertrand Gachot, the 787B became the first—and only—rotary-powered car to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans outright. Its haunting, high-pitched wail remains legendary among enthusiasts. Beyond victory laps, Le Mans glory elevated Mazda’s global brand image and underscored the rotary engine’s potential when placed in world-class race machinery.