France C. 1960s Hôtel Continental Le Mans Racing Car Key Fob VF

France c. 1960s – Hôtel Continental Le Mans Racing Car Key Fob

France – Le Mans – c. 1960s

Vintage advertising key fob of the Hôtel Continental, formerly situated opposite the railway station in Le Mans, with a prominent motor-racing design.

Obverse

High-relief depiction of an open racing car at speed, driven by a helmeted racing driver.

Race number:

2

The design reflects the strong association of the city of Le Mans with motor racing and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Reverse

Inscription:

HÔTEL CONTINENTAL

PLACE DE LA GARE

LE MANS

T. 28-05-88

Specifications

Country: France
City: Le Mans
Establishment: Hôtel Continental
Date: probably 1960s–early 1970s
Type: advertising hotel key fob / key tag
Theme: motor racing
Material: copper alloy
Diameter / width: 43 mm
Weight: 16.43 g
Suspension: chain and key attachment as present

The number T. 28-05-88 is the former telephone number of the Hôtel Continental and should not be interpreted as a date.

The Hôtel Continental was situated directly opposite the railway station in Le Mans and is already documented there in pre-war hotel directories. Its later six-digit telephone number is consistent with the French provincial telephone system introduced during the 1950s.

The hotel's connection with the motor-racing world is particularly noteworthy. During the 1960s it was used by the North American Racing Team of Luigi Chinetti during the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Contemporary motorsport history records NART staying at Madame Bonnet's Hôtel Continental opposite Le Mans railway station during the 1965 race, which the team ultimately won with its Ferrari 250 LM.

The racing car depicted on the present piece has not been securely identified as a specific make or model and is therefore described conservatively as a stylised period racing car.

An unusual piece of vintage Le Mans hotel and motor-racing memorabilia from one of the city's historically documented racing-era hotels.

Shipping