Description
The Matra-Simca MS 670 C was the final and most advanced evolution of Matra’s all-conquering 670 series — the family of 3-litre prototypes that dominated endurance racing in the early 1970s and secured three consecutive victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Introduced for the 1974 season, the 670 C represented the culmination of everything Matra had learned through years of intensive development. It combined a stronger monocoque, more efficient aerodynamics, refined suspension geometry and the most reliable and powerful version of Matra’s celebrated V12 engine. The result was a prototype that delivered both speed and consistency, allowing Matra to end its factory racing programme on a glorious high.
Structurally, the 670 C continued to use an aluminium monocoque chassis but incorporated several significant refinements over the earlier 670 and 670 B. The central tub was stiffened, the rollover structure was strengthened and the attachment points for the suspension were reworked to improve rigidity under extreme loads. These changes created a more stable platform for long-distance racing, reducing flex and maintaining consistent handling over the course of multi-hour stints. To this structure Matra fitted lightweight fibreglass bodywork that underwent a major aerodynamic overhaul. The 670 C featured a sleeker nose, more controlled airflow channels along the flanks and an extensively re-profiled tail designed to reduce turbulence and improve stability at over 300 km/h on the Mulsanne Straight.
The heart of the 670 C remained Matra’s iconic 3-litre V12 engine, designated MS73 in its most advanced form. It produced around 470 horsepower, delivered at extremely high revs, and retained the complex four-camshaft layout and twelve individual intake trumpets that defined the unit’s character. For the 670 C, Matra focused not only on increasing output but also on improving durability, oil cooling, cylinder head strength and internal friction characteristics. By 1974, the V12 had evolved into one of the most reliable engines in the class, able to sustain intense high-rpm running without the fragility that had plagued earlier versions. The engine was paired with a robust five-speed racing gearbox, allowing drivers to exploit its power band while maintaining mechanical sympathy during long endurance runs.
On the track, the MS 670 C immediately proved its superiority. Its aerodynamics generated more consistent downforce and reduced drag, giving drivers greater stability through the Porsche Curves and on long straights. The refined suspension — with double wishbones front and rear, improved damper settings and stronger anti-roll control — gave the car a neutral, predictable balance that made it easier to drive consistently for hours at a time. The widened stance helped with high-speed cornering, while ventilated disc brakes provided dependable stopping power throughout the race. The 670 C felt like a mature, fully resolved racing machine, smoother and more confidence-inspiring than its predecessors yet still ferociously fast.
The 1974 24 Hours of Le Mans marked the pinnacle of the 670 C’s career. Facing stiff competition from Porsche, Ferrari-engined privateers and various experimental entries, Matra fielded several 670 C cars in different aerodynamic configurations. The lead car ran a near-faultless race, maintaining relentless pace and demonstrating the V12’s newfound reliability. As fatigue and mechanical issues thinned the field, the 670 C continued circulating with precision, eventually securing overall victory and giving Matra its third consecutive Le Mans win. It was a triumphant culmination of years of innovation, perseverance and national pride.
Drivers widely praised the 670 C for its composure and drivability. It retained the exhilarating high-revving scream of the Matra V12 — a sound often cited as one of the greatest in motorsport — but paired it with much improved road manners. Compared with the more nervous early versions, the 670 C felt planted and less punishing to drive, qualities that became essential during a gruelling 24-hour race. The cockpit remained functional and purposeful, centred around a clean instrument cluster and tight packaging that reflected Matra’s focus on weight distribution and aerodynamics.
After securing its 1974 Le Mans victory, Matra withdrew from endurance racing to shift focus to its growing road-car programme and later to collaborations such as the Renault Espace. The MS 670 C therefore became the final expression of Matra’s racing ambition: the definitive version of a machine that rose from an outsider curiosity to a national icon and a benchmark of French engineering achievement.
Today, the Matra-Simca MS 670 C is regarded as one of the greatest endurance prototypes ever built. It represents the peak of Matra’s technical mastery — a graceful blend of lightweight construction, brilliant aerodynamics and the unforgettable howl of a high-revving V12. With its sleek blue livery, championship pedigree and place in one of motorsport’s most evocative eras, the 670 C remains a timeless symbol of Matra’s glory and one of the most celebrated race cars in French automotive history.