Matra MS630 exhaust

Echappements Chabord > car > Matra MS630 exhaust

At the request of the customer we realized the exhaust as at the time.

Nevertheless we used modern tools, scanning (hexagon arm) then redesigned in CAD the exhaust by respecting the information that we had in our possession (photos, plans of times…).

Indeed, the proximity of the chassis tubes with the engine imposes a great rigor in the spatial position of the exhaust tubes.

The design of the exhaust system led to a specific tooling that allowed to materialize the tubes in space.

Starting from 10/10th thick steel sheets, we made the specific tubes according to the MATRA plans.

In the bending of the tubes, we used a technique of the time:

it consists in filling and packing foundry sand in the tube then plugging it at the ends.

Then the tube is heated with a flashlight and bent according to specific templates. The tubes are then brought back into conformity in terms of circularity, then polished with an abrasive wheel.

This mixture of period and modern techniques is the only way to achieve this exceptional work.

Historic

This project is a re-edition that reproduces the MS 630-03 as it participated in the 1968 24 Hours of Le Mans in the hands of Henri Pescarolo and Johnny Servoz Gavin.

The chassis of the MS 630-03 still exists but it was transformed into a small car in 1969.

At Le Mans 1968, the Matra V12 participated for the first time in the 24 hours.

Nobody thinks that the F1 V12 will go the distance and Matra has only entered one car.

The race takes place exceptionally in September following the “events of May”.

So it rains a lot and the windshield wiper breaks down at the beginning of the race. It will not be repairable.

But the young drivers give it their all and, good surprise, at nightfall the car is second overall.

We start to talk a lot about the sound of its engine, which is totally different from the V8 Ford, Alfa and Porsche.

Even the Ferrari V12 of the 250LM seems dull next to it.

It must be said that Lagardère specifically requested that the exhaust system giving the highest sound be used.

(not necessarily the most horsepower)

At half past one in the morning, Servoz couldn’t stand driving blind in the pouring rain and wanted to drop out.

As the car was still in second place, Lagardère woke up Pescarolo who agreed to take over the wheel.

This is the day the legend of Pescarolo the brave man who accepts an insane risk was born.

(In fact Servoz did not lose out but history simplifies everything)

It will continue to rain all night.

Servoz did the early morning stints – still in the rain and without windshield wipers – and at 11 a.m., after almost 21 hours of racing, the car was still second overall.

But Pescarolo drove on the debris of a crashed car, the tire deflated, then broke up in the Hunaudières and created a short circuit, then a fire.

Not since 1950 and Louis Rosier had a French car fought for the scratch at Le Mans.

The Matra legend was created that day: the sound of the V12, the courage of Pescarolo, the revival of French motorsport.

characteristic

Materials: 10/10 mild steel

Primary tube length: 1000mm

Engine: MATRA V12

Architecture: 6-3-6

Documents : photos and plan of the period