Slot.it CA37b Matra-Simca MS 670b n.12 3rd Le Mans 1973

Drivers : J.P. Jabouille, J.P. Jaussaud

The Matra-Simca MS 670 was a Prototype race car that won the Le Mans 24 Hours 3 times in a row (from 1972 to 1974) as well as the World Manufacturers Championship twice (1973 and 1974). It was designed by Bernard Boyer and Jean-Louis Cassin. A ‘B’ was added in 1973 to the ‘670’ name to indicate that a Porsche gearbox was used as opposed to the previously used ZF. The chassis was an Aluminium monocoque, coupled with a fibreglass body to reduce weight by 22 kg. It was powered by a 60°, 3-litres V12 engine, with aluminium block and head, whose bore and stroke were 79.7*50.0 mm. The Matra V12, named ‘MS 73’, was famous for its amazingly loud sound, and reached 480 CV at 10500 RPM with torque peaking at 320 Nm @ 8400 RPM. In Le Mans it raced with six-in-one exhausts, propelling the car to 320 km/h on the Mulsanne straight. Braking was guaranteed by outboard Girling ventilated discs, all-round. Rims dimensions were 13” x 11” at front and 13” x 17” at rear. The car weighted 693 kg. There were three 670 B racing in Le Mans in 1973, with No.12 driven by Jean-Pierre Jaussaud and Jean-Pierre Jabouille. They finished in third position.