Matra MS670

Matra-Simca MS670

File:Matra 670C at Silverstone Classic Endurance Car Racing in September 2009.jpg Matra-Simca MS670 at Silverstone Classic Endurance Car Racing, September 2009
Company type	Racing car
Industry	Motorsport
Predecessor	Matra-Simca MS660C
Founder	Bernard Boyer (designer)
Successor	Matra-Simca MS680
Headquarters	France
Products	Group 5 Le Mans Prototype race car

{{Infobox racing car | Car_name = Matra-Simca MS670 | Image = Matra 670C at Silverstone Classic Endurance Car Racing in September 2009.jpg | Category = Group 5 Prototype | Constructor = Matra | Designer = Bernard Boyer | Predecessor = Matra-Simca MS660C | Successor = Matra-Simca MS680 | Team = Equipe Matra-Simca Shell
Équipe Gitanes | Drivers = Henri Pescarolo
Graham Hill
François Cevert
Howden Ganley
Jean-Pierre Jabouille
Jean-Pierre Beltoise
Chris Amon
Gérard Larrousse
Jean-Pierre Jarier
Jacky Ickx | Technical ref = | Chassis = Fibreglass body on aluminium monocoque | Front suspension = Double wishbones, coil springs over dampers, anti-roll bar. | Rear suspension = 1972: Wishbones, trailing arms, coils over dampers, anti-roll bar.
1973–1974: twin lower links, single top links, twin trailing arms, coils over dampers, anti-roll bar. | Wheelbase = | Track = Front:
Rear: | Engine name = Matra MS73, | Capacity = , | Turbo/NA = NA, | Configuration = 60º V12, | Engine position = Longitudinal, mid-mounted. | Gearbox name = 1972: Matra 5-speed Manual.
1973–1974: Porsche 5-speed Manual. | Weight = 1972:
1973:
1974: | Fuel = Shell |} The Matra-Simca MS670 was introduced in 1972 as a Group 5 Le Mans Prototype, competing in the World Championship for Makes. Developed by Bernard Boyer for Equipe Matra Sports with collaboration from Simca and Shell, it replaced the Matra-Simca MS660C. The vehicle featured an aluminium monocoque chassis covered with a fibreglass body and was powered by a naturally aspirated three-litre Matra V12 engine. Throughout its competition life from 1972 to 1974, the suspension evolved from wishbone setups to more complex multi-link arrangements. Depending on the season, the car employed either a Matra or Porsche five-speed manual transmission and weighed between approximately 675 and 700 kilograms. This combination helped Matra secure back-to-back manufacturers' titles during these years.

1972

The MS670 made its sole appearance in the 1972 season at the 1972 24 Hours of Le Mans. Matra entered four vehicles: one older model, the Matra-Simca MS660C, driven by Jean-Pierre Beltoise and Chris Amon, alongside three MS670s piloted by pairs François Cevert/Howden Ganley, Henri Pescarolo/Graham Hill, and Jean-Pierre Jabouille/David Hobbs. The duo of Hill and Pescarolo secured victory by one lap over Cevert and Ganley. Meanwhile, Beltoise and Amon retired due to engine failure, and Jabouille with Hobbs withdrew because of gearbox problems.

In the context of the World Championship for Makes, Matra accumulated twenty points, placing seventh overall.

1973

Matra launched the 1973 season at the 1973 24 Hours of Daytona with a single MS670 piloted by Cevert, Beltoise, and Pescarolo; however, their race ended prematurely due to engine trouble. At the 6 Hours of Vallelunga, the line-ups featured Cevert/Beltoise and Cevert/Pescarolo/Gérard Larrousse, all competing in the updated Matra-Simca MS670B; the trio of Cevert, Pescarolo, and Larrousse secured victory. In following events, Pescarolo/Larrousse and Cevert/Beltoise competed, with Pescarolo and Larrousse winning the 1000km of Dijon and placing third at Monza; meanwhile, Cevert and Beltoise finished third at Dijon but dropped to eleventh at Monza. At Spa, the combination of Pescarolo, Larrousse, and Amon achieved third place, while another entry with Pescarolo, Amon, and Hill retired due to engine failure. The team did not participate in the Targa Florio, and both cars entered at the 1000km of Nürburgring retired because of engine issues.

For the 1973 24 Hours of Le Mans, Matra entered four vehicles: Pescarolo/Larrousse emerged victorious; Jabouille/Jean-Pierre Jaussaud secured third place; Cevert/Beltoise retired following an accident; and Depailler/Wollek also retired. Pescarolo/Larrousse continued their success by winning at Zeltweg and Watkins Glen, while Cevert/Beltoise delivered inconsistent performances including some retirements.

Accumulating a total of 124 points in the World Championship for Makes, Matra clinched the championship title.

1974

The year commenced at Monza with fresh Matra-Simca MS670C models driven by Pescarolo/Larrousse and Beltoise/Jean-Pierre Jarier, both suffering engine failures that forced them to retire. At Spa, Jarier teamed up with Jacky Ickx to claim victory; meanwhile, Pescarolo/Larrousse withdrew from the race. Beltoise/Jarier triumphed at Nürburgring while Pescarolo/Larrousse secured fifth position. At Imola, Pescarolo/Larrousse took first place with Beltoise/Jarier finishing fourth.

During the 1974 24 Hours of Le Mans, Matra entered four cars including the new Matra-Simca MS680. The pair Pescarolo/Larrousse won again; Jabouille/Migault finished third; other entries retired due to engine failures. Pescarolo/Larrousse repeated their success at Zeltweg with Beltoise/Jarier coming in third.

Switching back to the MS670C for subsequent events, Beltoise/Jarier achieved wins at Watkins Glen, Le Castellet, and Brands Hatch, frequently finishing ahead of Pescarolo/Larrousse. At Kyalami, Pescarolo/Larrousse took victory ahead of Beltoise/Jarier.

Matra gathered 140 points to secure their second consecutive championship in the World Championship for Makes. Despite this success, they decided to exit motor racing by the end of the year.

Complete World Championship for Makes results

Jean-Pierre Beltoise style=background:#efcfff; 26 style=background:#ffffbf; 1 style=background:#dfffdf; 4 style=background:#ffdf9f; 3 style=background:#ffffbf; 1 style=background:#ffffbf; 1 style=background:#ffffbf; 1 style=background:#dfdfdf; 2Jean-Pierre Jarier style=background:#efcfff; 26 style=background:#ffffbf; 1 style=background:#ffffbf; 1 style=background:#dfffdf; 4 style=background:#ffdf9f; 3 style=background:#ffffbf; 1 style=background:#ffffbf; 1 style=background:#dfdfdf; 2Jacky Ickx style=background:#ffffbf; 1Henri Pescarolo style=background:#efcfff; 39 style=background:#dfffdf; 5 style=background:#ffffbf; 1 style=background:#ffffbf; 1 style=background:#ffffbf; 1 style=background:#efcfff; 15 style=background:#dfdfdf; 2 style=background:#ffffbf; 1Gérard Larrousse style=background:#efcfff; 39 style=background:#dfffdf; 5 style=background:#ffffbf; 1 style=background:#ffffbf; 1 style=background:#ffffbf; 1 style=background:#efcfff; 15 style=background:#dfdfdf; 2 style=background:#ffffbf; 1

References

Year	Entrant	Class	Drivers		1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	Points
1972	Equipe Matra-Simca Shell	Group 5			BAI	DAY	SEB	BRH	MZA	SPA	TGA	NÜR	LMS	ORC	WGN	20	7th
			Graham Hill										1
			Henri Pescarolo										1
			François Cevert										2
			1973	Equipe Matra-Simca Shell	Group 5			DAY	VAL	DIJ	MZA	SPA	TGA	NÜR	LMS			ORC	WGN	rowspan="11" style="background:#FFFFBF;" | 124	rowspan="11" style="background:#FFFFBF;" | 1st
						François Cevert	style="background:#efcfff;" |27 style="background:#ffffbf;" |1 /15 style="background:#ffdf9f;" |3 style="background:#CFCFFF;" |11		style="background:#efcfff;" |26 style="background:#efcfff;" |39 style="background:#dfdfdf;" |2 style="background:#efcfff;" |16
						1974	Gitanes	Group 5		1974 1000km of Monza 1974 1000 km of Spa 1974 1000km of Nürburgring 1974 1000km of Imola 1974 24 Hours of Le Mans 1974 1000km of Zeltweg 1974 Watkins Glen 6 Hours 1974 1000km of Le Castellet 1974 1000km of Brands Hatch 1974 Kyalami 6 Hours rowspan=11 style=background:#FFFFBF; 140 rowspan=11 style=background:#FFFFBF; 1st