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Even before the 787B made Mazda the first Japanese carmaker, and only the second manufacturer from outside Europe, to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the company’s four-rotor prototypes had already become legendary. Nothing quite matched the scream of the first 767 that arrived at Le Mans in 1988, and the 13J and R26B engines have remained unmatched for that distinctive sound ever since.

That is why these machines become the centre of attention whenever they appear at a historic race, and unfortunately, historic motorsport always carries the risk of damage to the cars. One four-rotor prototype, a 767B owned by Mazda, appears to have come alarmingly close to a worst-case situation on Sunday when it seemingly caught fire, according to posts emerging from Laguna Seca.

A video showed a Mazda prototype carrying the number 203 with flames pouring out from what looks to be the left side of the engine cover. It appears to be chassis 767B-002, a four-rotor prototype that was restored over two years before returning to historic racing in 2016, although its number seems to have been changed from the more familiar 202. Since then, the car has regularly appeared at historic events and has been seen in recent years at Road Atlanta and Long Beach as part of Mazda’s Heritage Collection.

Fortunately, the post’s caption said the fire was extinguished. The full extent of the damage may not be clear for some time, but the scale of the flames is enough to suggest that the Mazda may require significant repairs if it is to get back on track for next weekend’s Rolex Motorsports Reunion historic races at Laguna Seca, one of the highlights of Monterey Car Week.

The positive news for Mazda enthusiasts is that this 767B is not the famous 787B that won the 1991 24 Hours of Le Mans. Mazda said in June that the exact car that took victory at Le Mans would be brought over from Japan for the weekend, but both the race number and the shape of the nose on the car seen on fire appear to indicate that it is a 767B rather than the later, and historically more important, 787B. Mazda has been contacted for further details about the incident, and this story may be updated if more information emerges.