2021 Artcurial Paris Rétromobile Sale (Le Mans-Winning Matra Announced)

The 1972 Le Mans-winning Matra MS670 driven by Graham Hill and Henri Pescarolo was announced for the Artcurial Paris Rétromobile 2021 classic car auction.

NOTE: Rétromobile is postponed until June 2021 but the Artcurial sale will still take place as “La Parisienne” on 5 February 2021 and the Matra will be offered in this sale, not the new Rétromobile 2021 sale on 4 June 2021.

The Matra MS 670 chassis 001 Le Mans 1972 — The Matra MS 670 chassis 001 at Le Mans 1972 © Matra Automobile / Courtesy of Artcurial

Artcurial Motorcars announced the first headline car for the 2021 Paris Rétromobile week classic car auctions: the Matra MS670, chassis 001, driven to victory at the 1972 Le Mans 24-hours race by Graham Hill and Henri Pescarolo. The presale estimate for this race-winning car is a wide €4 to 7.5 million (US $4.4 to 8.3 million). The Artcurial Paris Rétromobile classic car auction is scheduled for 5 February 2021.

1972 Matra MS670 at Artcurial Paris Rétromobile Sale 2021

The two victorious Matras cross the finish line 1972 © Matra Automobile / Courtesy of Artcurial

The 1972 Matra MS670, chassis 001, estimate €4 to 7.5 million (US $4.4 to 8.3 million), on offer at the Artcurial Paris Rétrombile 2021 sale, is the car driven by Graham Hill and Henri Pescarolo to a famous victory in the 1972 24 Hours of Le Mans race.

The Matra is presented in its 1973 Le Mans 24 Hours configuration, It is owned by the Lagardère Group and has been conserved at the Musée Matra in Romorantin since its last race in 1973. The racing car came unexpectedly onto the market after a court case lost early in 2020.

Thierry Funck-Brentano, co-managing partner of the Lagardère Group comments on this decision: “Our wonderful memories of MATRA’s part in motor racing history are no compensation for the Lagardère Group’s obligation to honor the consequences of an unfavorable court ruling in January 2020 in a social law case involving MATRA AUTOMOBILE, 18 years after it closed. Hence the decision to offer at auction, in total transparency, the 1972 Le Mans 24 Hour-winning MATRA.”

Matra Car Racing Success

The way Artcurial tells the story, Jean-Luc Lagardère asserted in the mid-1960s that within 10 years, Matra would win the Formula 1 World Championship and the Le Mans 24 Hours, the two most prestigious titles in motor racing. Not only would his prediction prove to be correct, but he went further by also winning the Constructors’ World Championship.

Jean-Luc Lagardère employed talented drivers such as Beltoise, Jaussaud, Pescarolo, Larrousse, Servoz-Gavin, and Cevert. Success for Matra single-seaters soon followed. The constructor’s rise through the ranks was relentless and the first victory in Formula 3 was in July 1965, the first victory in Formula 1 in 1968, and the following year, the highest accolade when Jackie Stewart was crowned World Champion.

Matra at Le Mans 1972

1972 - Henri Pescarolo, Jean-Luc Lagardère and Graham Hill celebrating their victory and the first win for Matra in the Le Mans 24 Hours. — © Paris Match / Courtesy of Artcurial

During the second half of the 1960s, the 24 Hours of Le Mans race was dominated by Ford, Porsche, and Ferrari. The Matra-BRMs made their appearance in 1966 — 15 years after the previous French success at Le Mans.

By 1972, the MS 670 had reached maturity. Superbly streamlined, it was powered by the celebrated and symphonic-sounding V12 Matra engine. The marque entered four cars, and the Matra driven by Henri Pescarolo and Graham Hill, chassis 001, having lapped with the regularity of a metronome, crossed the finish line victorious. Second place went to another Matra, driven by François Cevert and Howden Ganley. This was the first 100% French victory since Louis Rosier had won in his Talbot in 1951.

In addition, it was a fantastic achievement for Graham Hill who won the triple crown (Monaco, Indianapolis, Le Mans 24 Hours). He remains the only driver to this day to have done this.

The MS 670 was an outstanding car and Matra went on to win the famous 24-Hour race twice more, in 1973 and 1974, giving Henri Pescarolo three Le Mans victories in a row. In 1974, Matra won also the World Championship leading Jean-Luc Lagardère to give up motor racing with mission accomplished.

Paris Retromobile Week Auctions 2021

Classic Car Auctions

The traditional Paris Rétromobile Week was postponed from February to early June 2021. The traditional auctions in early February in Paris are expected to take place. Artcurial already announced a further auction for early June during the postponed Rétromoble week 2021.

Bonhams: Les Grandes Marques à Paris Sale online-only from 3 to 10 March 2021.
Artcurial: La Parisienne (in partnership with Rétromobile) on 5 February 2021. (Rétromobile Sale on 4 June 2021)
RM Sotheby’s: Paris Auction live auction on 13 February 2021, followed by an online-only, time-based sale.