Matra MS640
| Industry | Automotive, Motorsport |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1945 |
| Headquarters | France |
The Matra MS640 is a sports prototype race car engineered by the French company Matra in 1969. Only two models were ever created: the initial version in 1969 and a reconstructed one in 2005.
Development
The MS640 utilized a tubular trellis chassis akin to that of the MS650. Its aerodynamic coupe bodywork, designed by Robert Choulet—an engineer formerly associated with Deutsch & Bonnet—drew inspiration from his previous projects. The vehicle featured an elongated silhouette, a compact bubble canopy, rounded fenders partially enclosing the rear wheels, and stabilizing fins at the rear. Power was supplied by the 420 Matra MS9 V12 3-liter engine, developed in 1968 through a French governmental program and previously installed in the Matra MS630.
History and background
After the MS630 demonstrated competitive form at the 1968 24 Hours of Le Mans—running as high as second place before retiring due to punctures and electrical issues—Matra’s director Jean-Luc Lagardère tasked Choulet with creating an aerodynamic closed-body car specifically for the Sarthe circuit. The goal was to compensate for power shortcomings relative to competitors such as the Porsche 917, Ford GT40, and Lola T70, while also improving fuel efficiency compared to the Porsche 908. Expectations for the MS640 were high among Lagardère, motorsport journalists, and French racing enthusiasts hoping for a "voiture bleue" triumph at Le Mans.
At the collective Le Mans testing sessions in March, the MS640 was not yet ready; only the MS630 participated. In April, private testing took place at Circuit de la Sarthe with drivers Henri Pescarolo and Johnny Servoz-Gavin to refine the vehicle. Pescarolo noted light steering effort and achieved speeds of on the Hunaudières straight. However, after encountering a bump, aerodynamic instability caused the car to lift off, overturning in a crash. Pescarolo sustained serious injuries that required six months of recovery but eventually returned to competition, winning the 1000 km of Paris in a Matra 650 alongside Beltoise.
The MS640 never entered competitive racing as Lagardère decided to cease further development. This decision prompted Choulet to depart Matra in October 1969 and join Société d'Études et de Réalisations Automobiles (SERA-CD), where he contributed to early design work on the Porsche 917.
Subsequent investigations into the accident indicated that deformation of body panels under high-speed airflow—especially sections above the doors—resulted in instability and lift-off. Choulet believed that incremental performance testing could have uncovered this issue sooner. The extreme aerodynamic design meant even minor defects critically affected vehicle stability.
Second iteration
In 1989, the original molds containing components of the second bodywork were found again at the Matra facility. By 1995, Norma had constructed a new chassis and recreated the absent bodywork following the initial blueprints. Progress on the restoration halted for nearly a decade due to a lack of expert artisans until 2004, when EPAF, a firm specializing in historic race car restorations, assumed responsibility and completed the work employing manufacturing methods authentic to 1969.
Once finished, the MS640 was tested with Henry Pescarolo behind the wheel—who had originally driven it more than thirty-five years prior and requested to drive it once again. To avoid a recurrence of the 1969 crash, the vehicle was equipped with a suspension sensor alert system that warned when approaching lift-off speed. Testing involved iterative setup modifications after alarms sounded at speeds exceeding cautious thresholds. The ultimate test sought to lower the front end for enhanced downforce but introduced safety concerns that led technicians to stop the attempt. Despite objections, Pescarolo insisted on proceeding without front brakes.
With these adjustments, the car achieved nearly without losing contact with the ground. Following testing, Pescarolo exited as dense smoke and flames emerged from overheated rear brakes—a direct result of disabling the front brake system—but expressed satisfaction with bringing the project to completion.
The Matra MS640 was exhibited at the Espace automobiles Matra museum in Romorantin – Lanthenay, France, before being put up for auction by Bonhams in Paris on February 6, 2025.