Matra-Simca MS630

Matra-Simca MS630
Company type	Racing car
Industry	Motorsport
Predecessor	Matra MS620
Founded	1967
Headquarters	France
Products	Group 5 prototype racing car

The Matra-Simca MS630 was a Group 5 prototype designed for competition, launched in 1967 to contest the 1967 World Sportscar Championship. It was the successor to the Matra MS620. Originally designated as the Matra M630, the vehicle was renamed Matra-Simca MS630 after Simca became a sponsor in 1969.

1967

For the 1967 season, Matra equipped the MS630 with a 1.9-litre BRM Formula One V8 engine delivering 245 horsepower at 9,000 RPM. Although intended to compete at the 1000 km events at Spa and Nürburgring, these entries were withdrawn. The car’s sole appearance was at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, where two units were entered: one driven by Servoz-Gavin and Beltoise, and another by Jaussaud and Pescarolo. Both vehicles retired due to mechanical breakdowns. Consequently, Matra did not earn any points in the World Championship for Makes that year.

1968

In 1968, Matra upgraded to their proprietary 3.0-litre Matra Sports V12 engine for the MS630. The car participated only in the 24 Hours of Le Mans with the pairing of Servoz-Gavin and Pescarolo but was forced to retire following an accident caused by a tire puncture. Again, Matra failed to score points in the World Championship for Makes during this season.

1969

The MS630’s 1969 campaign commenced with a failure to start at the 24 Hours of Daytona due to an accident during practice. Matra opted out of several events including Sebring, Brands Hatch, and Targa Florio. At the 1000 km of Monza, the duo Servoz-Gavin and Guichet retired because of fuel system complications. Entries for Spa and Nürburgring were also withdrawn.

At the 24 Hours of Le Mans that year, Matra entered four cars: Beltoise and Courage piloted the new Matra-Simca MS650; Guichet and Vaccarella competed with the MS630; while Galli/Widdows and Servoz-Gavin/Müller drove updated hybrids combining elements of the MS630 and MS650. The best results included a fourth-place finish for Beltoise/Courage, fifth for Guichet/Vaccarella, and seventh for Galli/Widdows; Servoz-Gavin/Müller’s car retired due to electrical issues.

During the Watkins Glen 6 Hours race, two vehicles took part: Servoz-Gavin paired with Rodriguez in an MS650 finished fourth; Guichet and Widdows in an MS630/650 hybrid retired owing to clutch failure. The MS630 model was retired from competition prior to the 1000 km of Zeltweg.

Matra accumulated six points in the 1969 World Championship for Makes, securing seventh place overall—all points were earned by the MS650 model.

Complete World Championship for Makes results

Year	Entrant	Class	Drivers	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	Points	WEMCP
1967	Equipe Matra Sports	Group 5		DAY	SEB	MNZ	SPA	TFO	NÜR	LMS	BHC	0	-
			Template:Country data FRA Template:Namespace detect showall Johnny Servoz-Gavin							29
			Template:Country data FRA Template:Namespace detect showall Jean-Pierre Beltoise							29
			Template:Country data FRA Template:Namespace detect showall Jean-Pierre Jaussaud							43
			Template:Country data FRA Template:Namespace detect showall Henri Pescarolo							43

1968	Equipe Matra Sports	Group 5	Drivers	DAY	SEB	BHC	MNZ	TFO	SPA	NÜR	WGN	ZEL	LMS	Points	WEMCP position

Template:Country data FRA Template:Namespace detect showall Johnny Servoz-Gavin

					style="background:#efcfff;" \|19	Template:Country data FRA Template:Namespace detect showall Henri Pescarolo						19

Equipe Matra Sports - Elf Aquitaine	Group 5	Drivers	DAY	SEB	BHC	MNZ	TFO	SPA	NÜR	LMS	WGN	ORC	Points	WEMCP position

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References