WM P70 Returns: French Racing Icon Reborn

Heritage Reignited - In the ever-evolving world of automotive design and racing, few stories strike as deeply as the return of a legend once thought lost to time. While the automotive landscape of today is dominated by futuristic EVs and AI-driven technology, there's something soul-stirring about a machine that harks back to a purer era of innovation—when ambition and hand-built passion were the real engines of progress. Enter the WM P70, a French prototype sports car first introduced in 1970 and now reborn in 2024 thanks to the relentless effort of the Welter Meunier Historique association.

The 1970 WM P70 is a French prototype sports car, the result of the passionate work of Gérard Welter and Michel Meunier, two emblematic figures of the Peugeot brand. (Picture from: WM Historique in Facebook)

More than just a car, the WM P70 is a symbol of French engineering spirit and grassroots ingenuity. Its story begins with two men—Gérard Welter and Michel Meunier—who, in the early 1970s, were already well-known for their contributions to Peugeot. United by their love for speed and style, they took on a bold challenge: to build a competitive endurance prototype with their own hands. 

The WM P70 was not only futuristic in design but also daring in its minimalism, with a lightweight 505-kilogram body and a 1.3-liter Peugeot 304 S engine delivering 130 hp to reach a top speed of 225 km/h. (Picture from: WM Historique in Facebook)

What emerged was the P70, a car that was not only futuristic in design but daring in its minimalism. With just a 1.3-liter Peugeot 304 S engine producing 130 horsepower, the lightweight 505-kilogram body could reach a top speed of 225 km/h. Short, sleek, and far ahead of its time, the P70 was a striking combination of raw engineering and visionary design.

The WM P70 was resurrected over half a century later not just as a tribute but as a full-scale revival, meticulously rebuilt from scratch over nearly five years by the WMH team to match the original in every curve, line, and component with complete authenticity. (Picture from: WM Historique in Facebook)

The resurrection of this car over half a century later is more than a tribute; it's a full-blown revival. Starting from scratch, the WMH team spent nearly five years meticulously reconstructing the P70 to be identical to the original—every curve, line, and component rebuilt with absolute authenticity. The effort culminated in its dramatic unveiling at the 2024 Retromobile Show in Paris, where it captivated a new generation of enthusiasts and reminded veterans of the golden days of motorsport creativity.

The WM P70, despite its smooth matte finish and subtle sponsor decals, is a fully operational machine with a functional cockpit and drivetrain, bridging past and present in both form and performance. (Picture from: WM Historique in Facebook)

Despite its smooth matte finish and subtle sponsor decals, the new WM P70 is a fully operational machine. Everything from the cockpit to the drivetrain is fully functional and ready to race, offering a powerful visual and mechanical link between the past and present. Its aesthetic still echoes iconic Peugeot designs such as the 504 Coupé, while the aerodynamic contours forecast shapes seen in later Peugeot concepts like the Oxia and Quasar—underscoring how the P70 was a decade ahead of its time.

The WM P70 carries design echoes of iconic Peugeot models like the 504 Coupé, while its aerodynamic contours anticipate the shapes of later concepts such as the Oxia and Quasar, highlighting how it was a decade ahead of its time. (Picture from: WM Historique in Facebook)

As of 2025, the WM P70 is not just a static museum piece. It recently completed its first test laps on the UTAC track in Mortefontaine, breathing life into what was once a dormant dream. The team behind its rebirth now has their sights set on entering the P70 in events like the Le Mans Classic, bringing this pioneering prototype back to the racing circuits where it truly belongs. | 02NTxtxFShE | bNNxUWxlELI | 

The WM P70 isn’t just a rediscovered relic—it’s a living, breathing celebration of vision, perseverance, and the enduring thrill of motorsport. And for anyone who thought true racing passion was a thing of the past, the echo of the P70’s engine on the track says otherwise.*** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | WM HISTORIQUE IN FACEBOOK | LIGNESAUTO.FR | LIGNESAUTO IN FACEBOOK | LENOUVELAUTOMOBILISTE.FR | TJALO33 ON X ]

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