MATRA SIMCA 650 "Tour de France auto" white and blue from 1970
This model car MATRA SIMCA 650 in the colors of the 1970 Tour de France automobile represents one of the most emblematic models of the Franco-French collaboration between Matra and Simca. Sporting a white and blue livery characteristic of this legendary competition, this faithful reproduction captures all the sporting essence of this revolutionary berlinetta.
A true collector's item , this model car is aimed at enthusiasts of French cars from the 1970s and collectors keen to acquire a piece representative of the golden age of French motor sport.
Characteristics of the model car
- Model: MATRA SIMCA 650
- Brand: Matra-Simca
- Year: 1970
- Scale: 1/43rd
- Color: White and blue
- Livery: Tour de France automobile
- Protective case included: Yes
Description of the actual model
The Matra-Simca 650 was born in 1970 from Jean-Luc Lagardère's desire to create an affordable sports car capable of competing with Italian and British production cars. This mid-rear engine berlinetta borrowed the architecture of the Matra 530, but adopted the 650 cc Simca 1000 engine , hence its name. This collaboration represented a turning point in the French automotive industry, combining Matra's aeronautical expertise with Simca's mass production.
Featuring a particularly lightweight polyester body and tubular chassis, the 650 developed 41 horsepower while weighing just 580 kg. This design gave it remarkable performance for the time, with a top speed of 140 km/h and lively acceleration. Its resolutely modern style, designed by Philippe Guédon, marked a break with traditional French aesthetic standards.
Sold for only two years, the Matra-Simca 650 was a critical rather than commercial success , with around 3,500 units produced. Its brief but intense career quickly made it a sought-after collector's car, a symbol of an era when French industry dared to innovate in motorsport.
History of the Matra-Simca brand
The alliance between Matra and Simca in the early 1970s was part of a boom period for the French automobile industry. Matra, initially specializing in aeronautics and armaments, diversified its activities into the automotive sector under the leadership of Jean-Luc Lagardère. This strategy aimed to exploit the company's technological expertise in new civilian sectors.
Simca, Chrysler's French subsidiary since 1963, brings its expertise in mass production and its range of proven engines. This complementarity allows Matra to enter the sports car market without investing massively in engine development, while giving Simca a sporty image that it had struggled to build on its own.
This collaboration would give rise to several iconic models, from the 530 to the Bagheera , marking French automotive history with remarkable technical and stylistic innovations. Although short-lived, this alliance remains a successful example of French industrial synergy.
A star of amateur rallies
The Matra-Simca 650 enjoyed its greatest moments of glory during the Tour de France automobile, a competition that combined regularity events on open roads and circuit races. This event, created in 1954, represented the pinnacle of French motorsport and attracted the greatest drivers of the era.
In 1970, several 650s took part in this legendary competition, sporting the distinctive white and blue colors that characterized the event. These cars, driven by teams combining professionals and enlightened amateurs, demonstrated the exceptional road qualities of the model on the winding roads of the Alps and the Pyrenees.
One of the most memorable anecdotes concerns the crew formed by Jean-Pierre Beltoise and Henri Pescarolo, who used a prepared 650 to win several stages. Their performance helped to forge the model's sporting reputation and had a lasting influence on Matra's brand image in the French public.
This participation in the Tour de France automobile transformed the 650 into a true cultural icon , symbolizing the French spirit of automotive innovation in the 1970s. It perfectly embodied this era when national manufacturers did not hesitate to measure themselves against international references on the most demanding terrains.
Complete your collection of French model cars
This MATRA SIMCA 650 naturally finds its place at the heart of a collection dedicated to French cars from the 1970s. It fits perfectly alongside other emblematic models from this revolutionary decade, notably Renault model cars or Citroën models from the same era.
Collectors with a passion for motorsport will particularly appreciate this piece alongside other competition models, whether from the 24 Hours of Le Mans or rally events . This model car also makes an excellent addition to collections focused on 1970s automobiles .
Beyond seasoned collectors, this MATRA SIMCA 650 will appeal to fans of French automotive history and 1/43 scale model enthusiasts. Its Tour de France automobile livery makes it a particularly sought-after piece, capable of arousing the interest of both specialists and novices discovering the world of 1/43 scale model cars . It represents a tangible testimony to an era when French industry dared to be bold and innovative in the automotive field.
