1923 Ford Model T Montier Returns to Le Mans

American manufacturer Ford announced it will have a very emotional presence at this year's Le Mans Classic, as it will bring to the event the Ford Model T Montier which raced, in 1923, in the very first Le Mans race. In an exciting display of what was and what is, Ford will pair the Montier with the last of the RS line, the Focus RS500.

"A partner in the event since 2004 and racing under the historic colours of Ecurie Ford France since 2008, the Blue Oval will once again be lining up to demonstrate Ford’s ceaseless passion for performance technology and competition," Ford says in a statement.

It is not the first time the Montier has been on display at the event, as it was brought to the 2008 Le Mans Classic, when it finished 49th in its category (not such a bad feat, given its age).

This year, the car will be brought in front of the public in Sarthe between July 9 and 11. As said, alongside it will be the Focus RS500, perhaps the meanest, darkest Focus ever created. It will be, sadly, the last Ford to wear the RS logo, as the carmaker will drop the RS line after the 500 units will be built and sold.

The RS500 comes packing a 2.5l 5-cylinder engine developing 345 horsepower and 460 Nm of torque. The boost over the production version has mainly been achieved by improving the engine's combustion process.