Artcurial will be auctioning the 1972 Matra MS 670, which won the 1972 24 Hours of Le Mans with Henri Pescarolo and Graham Hill at the wheel, at the Rétromobile 2021 on February 5, 2021.
EUR 4 to 7.5 million
The Largardère Group took over Matra in 1994, but Jean-Luc Lagardère was responsible for the development of Matra almost from the beginning and throughout its history.s development, which also became active in series vehicle construction in 1964 with the takeover of the sports car manufacturer René Bonnet.
The French company also made its mark internationally with racing car construction. The self-developed V12 was one of the successful racing engines and in 1972 the Matra MS 670 won the 24 Hours of Le Mans, nota bene with a 1-2 finish and completely French technology, the first time since Talbot's victory in 1951. The fact that there was also a Brit in the cockpit only dampened the joy slightly.
Chassis 001
The Le Mans winning car with chassis number 001 has been in the possession of the Lagardère Group to this day and is now being launched on the market for the first time in the 1973 Le Mans configuration. No wonder so much interest is expected and Artcurial describes the racing car as the "holy grail" for all racing car collectors.
Now we can only hope that a) the Rétromobile 2021 will be allowed to take place and b) the Matra will then drive across the stage and let its symphonic-sounding V12 be heard.
Further information on Artcurial and upcoming auctions can be found on the auction house's website.
