Simca MATRA MS 120 blue from 1970 - 1/43 scale collector's model
This blue 1970 Simca MATRA MS 120 model car represents one of the most iconic prototypes in French automotive history. Produced in 1:43 scale, this faithful reproduction captures the essence of this exceptional vehicle that made its mark at the turn of the 1970s.
A true collector's item for enthusiasts of French automobiles and historic prototypes, this model car naturally finds its place in any collection dedicated to Matra model cars or French concept cars .
Characteristics of the model car
- Model: Simca MATRA MS 120
- Brand: Simca MATRA
- Year: 1970
- Scale: 1/43rd
- Color: Blue
- Protective case included: Yes
The real model: a visionary prototype
The Simca MATRA MS 120 was born in 1970 in the design offices of Matra Automobile, under the leadership of Jean-Luc Lagardère. This revolutionary prototype was intended to succeed the M530, with the ambition of creating a high-end French sports car capable of competing with the Italian and German productions of the time.
Powered by a 2.7-liter Citroën V6 engine , the MS 120 produced remarkable power for its time. Its body, designed by Philippe Guédon's team, featured futuristic lines with a low, slender silhouette, characteristic of Matra's automotive design expertise. The tubular steel chassis and polyester bodywork demonstrated Matra's technical expertise in motor racing.
Unfortunately, this ambitious project never saw series production, a victim of industrial restructuring and the strategic choices of Chrysler Europe, which took control of Simca in 1970.
Matra: innovation in the service of the automobile industry
In 1970, Matra Automobile was experiencing a pivotal period in its history. Founded in 1964 by Jean-Luc Lagardère, the Matra Group's automotive division had quickly established itself as an innovative player in the French automotive landscape. Following the success of the M530, the first French sports car with a rear mid-engine, Matra sought to consolidate its position in the luxury sports car market.
The company then benefited from its expertise acquired in Formula 1 and in endurance racing, notably at the 24 Hours of Le Mans . This experience in motor racing was naturally reflected in the design of its road vehicles, with particular attention paid to aerodynamics and weight distribution.
The collaboration with Simca, initiated in 1969, opened up new perspectives for Matra, allowing it to envisage larger series production and access to more powerful engines, notably the Chrysler V6 and V8 engines.
A fascinating anecdote: the thwarted destiny of a French dream
The story of the Simca MATRA MS 120 perfectly illustrates the upheavals that the French automobile industry was experiencing at the beginning of the 1970s. While the prototype was technically accomplished and aesthetically successful, its destiny changed with the arrival of Chrysler Europe at the head of Simca.
American executives, reluctant to invest in a niche project developed by a French partner, preferred to concentrate their efforts on more conventional and potentially more profitable models. This decision marked the premature end of a project that could have repositioned France in the European supercar segment, alongside Ferrari, Lamborghini or Porsche.
Paradoxically, this same period saw Matra triumph in Formula 1 with Jackie Stewart, winning the World Drivers' Championship in 1969. This sporting success contrasted bitterly with the difficulties encountered in the development of road vehicles, testifying to the complex challenges then represented by the transition between technical excellence and commercial success in the French automobile industry.
Today, the rare surviving examples of the MS 120 are jealously preserved in private collections or museums, silent witnesses to a French automotive dream that could not be realized. This rarity gives the model car reproduction a particular symbolic value, allowing collectors to own a part of this little-known automotive history.
Complete your collection of French model cars
This blue Simca MATRA MS 120 naturally finds its place alongside other representatives of the golden age of French automobiles. It harmonizes perfectly with the other models in the Simca model car range, notably the Simca Aronde or the Simca 1000 , offering a complete panorama of this iconic brand.
Collectors with a passion for prototypes and concept cars will particularly appreciate this rare piece, which is the perfect addition to a collection dedicated to exceptional French vehicles. It sits remarkably well alongside other model cars of French sports cars from the 1970s , a heyday of automotive creativity in France.
This model car is primarily aimed at knowledgeable collectors and enthusiasts of French automotive history, who will appreciate the documentary and aesthetic value of this unique model. Its rarity and historical character make it a choice investment for any enthusiast of French model cars wishing to enrich their collection with a piece that is both beautiful and full of history.
