Matra in the Wind

[Pierre Tavlitzki]

On February 8 in Paris, Artcurial sell the first copy of Matra MS650. Made in 1969, this car was designed for endurance competitions, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans where it participated.

The objective of the French firm Matra was to bring something new in this sector of the car market, and it succeeded. Its engine type V-12 had a special buzz, announcing to the ear the passage of the car before it was visible.

Moreover, its very low and very compact shape did not take the wind, with the wheels being well protected under the bodywork. Designed to be functional, it is a beautiful object, color blue sky.

The auctioneer who presents it on behalf of Artcurial, Hervé Poulain, is an experienced pilot who perhaps even competed against this "monster", a term he uses himself passionately in the video published on the site of Artcurial. Wikipedia indicates several participations of Hervé Poulain in Le Mans between 1975 and 1998. The Matra brand left Formula 1 at the end of the 1972 season and endurance race two years later.

How much will this car be valued? We must wait for the catalog to get an idea.

Endurance and Formula 1 are different markets. I remind for information only the sale of the unique copy of Matra MS 9 by Artcurial, 245 K € excluding charges, on 20 June 2005. This Formula 1 car dates of 1967-1968. It could be considered as a test vehicle.

[Pierre Tavlitzki]

The estimate of the Matra is now available : 1.5 M€.

[Pierre Tavlitzki]

Artcurial had announced that the Matra could exceed € 1.5 million. This price was recorded, but including the costs.

My article supposed that the price of such a scarcity is hardly predictable. In addition, circuit cars are often at lower prices than road cars. I therefore consider that this price is excellent.