The Le Mans Classic is a biennial vintage sports car event held on the grounds of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, created by Peter Auto and Richard Mille, and associated with Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO). It began in 2002 and runs every two years in July on the full 13.65 km circuit also used for the annual modern day 24 Hours of Le Mans. The Le Mans Classic event of 2002 was the first time since 1923 that the full 24-hour Circuit, part of which is public road the rest of the year, was closed specifically for an event other than the annual running of the 24 heures du Mans with contemporary sports cars and prototypes, thus allowing car owners and gentleman drivers to experience what it must have been to race these cars on this circuit.
The event consists of a series of races for cars which have competed at the 24 Hours of Le Mans or for similar cars of the same model. The traditional classes feature cars from prior to 1981 (originally 1979, but 1981 was the last year of the formula), with all cars being broken into six different eras. To compete in the races a driver must own an FIA International Competition licence, meaning the drivers are of a professional level. In recent years, three new classes from event organisers have been added by Peter Auto, to reflect the history of the event.
Car shows and auctions are hosted on the Bugatti Circuit grounds, with various car clubs meeting to show off machinery.