The Matra: An Automotive Gem and an Ultimate Race History
“This Matra MS670 represents the Holy Grail for all collectors of competition cars. It has the ultimate race history with a victory in the most famous race in the world, the best provenance, having never left the hands of its creators, the Lagardère Group, superb styling and one of the best engines
“This Matra MS670 represents the Holy Grail for all collectors of competition cars. It has the ultimate race history with a victory in the most famous race in the world, the best provenance, having never left the hands of its creators, the Lagardère Group, superb styling and one of the best engines ever built: the Matra V12!”
Matthieu Lamoure and Pierre Novikoff, Directors at Artcurial Motorcars
The Matra MS 670 chassis 001 on its way to victory in the 1972 Le Mans 24 Hours
Estimate: €4M – 7,5M
This flagship French race car with a place in international motor racing history is owned by the Lagardère Group and has been conserved at the Musée Matra in Romorantin since its last race in 1973. Presented today in its 1973 Le Mans 24 Hours configuration, chassis 001 is the car that won the most famous race in the world in 1972, entered as number 15. At the wheel were two distinguished drivers, Henri Pescarolo and Graham Hill.
1972 - The two victorious Matras cross the finish line
Jean-Luc Lagardère asserted that within 10 years, Matra would win the Formula 1 World Championship and the Le Mans 24 Hours, the two most prestigious titles in motor racing. Not only would his prediction prove to be correct, but he went further by also winning the Constructors’ World Championship.
It didn’t take long for people to start talking about Matra single seaters. The constructor’s rise through the ranks was relentless and Matra went on to win the famous 24-Hour race twice more, in 1973 and 1974, before Jean-Luc Lagardère decided to give up motor racing.
This incredible adventure, like a shooting star in the firmament of French motorsport, has no equivalent. José Rosinski, the talented journalist writing for Sport Auto, said the Matra story “represents one of the most glorious chapters in the annals of French Motorsport”. Enough said.
Information
Auction in Paris
5th February 2021 - 4pm
Exhibition
Wednesday 3rd February 2021: 3pm – 8pm
Thursday 4th February 2021: 10am – 7pm
Friday 5th February 2021: 10am – 3pm
Health measures related to the Covid crisis are likely to change. We invite you to consult regularly our website for any changes in the organisation of the exhibition and/or the auction.
Artcurial's private garage
Entrance at the 59, avenue Montaigne
75009 Paris
Auction Contact
Anne-Claire Mandine
Tel. +33 1 42 99 20 73