Matra 620 n°41 driven by Jean-Pierre Beltoise

It has been 60 years since the first Matra hit the asphalt at the 24 Hours of Le Mans track. It was the 620. It was supposed to look like the road version of the 530. Equipped with a 2L V8-BRM Formula 1 engine, the technical consequences on the chassis were as many challenges to overcome and the team still in training has, despite the many hours of work and dedication, struggled to complete this project.

Jo Schlesser, into car number 42 with a red right eye, is the most experienced of the French drivers and places position 19th after the first lap. But his progress is quickly slowed down by the warning light of the alternator which turned on and shock absorber problems that put him in 47th position after the first hour of racing. At midnight, trouble is behind the Franco-British team, which has climbed to 30th position. But when the CD-Peugeot spins around to let him go, Schlesser hits it without gravity and starts again, but he is hit in turn by Scarfiotti’s Ferrari P3. The rear of the car is completely destroyed and has to give up.

The Matra 620 marks the beginning of a real saga for the French brand which wants to diversify its activities. If during the tests at the beginning of April, the results were promising, the results have not been confirmed. The competition was tough and the team was in training.

Only car No. 43 retained the left-hand drive. Its front right headlight is green, as Pescarolo’s helmet. With his first victories in F3, Henri Pescarolo, who took part for the first time in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, replaced Jacky Ickx, who also made his debut at Le Mans in the Ford GT40 No. 60. He is associated with Jean-Pierre Jaussaud who takes the start. Struggling with an ignition problem, he is forced to pit stop after only 9 laps. Endless stops followed and after only 38 laps in 8 hours of racing, the team gave up.

The 620 finished their career the same year after 1000 km of Paris without glory. We do not know yet but Matra has inaugurated its LeMans saga and the end of 1966 really marks the beginning of the adventure since all the key characters are now in place.