The 1972 24 Hours of Le Mans, run on 10–11 June, produced one of the most consequential results in endurance racing history. Henri Pescarolo and Graham Hill drove the #15 Matra Simca MS670 to an outright victory, completing 344 laps. IXO Models has reproduced that car as a 1:43 die-cast, capturing the Bluette pale metallic blue and white Shell livery that defined a French motorsport era.
The Matra Simca MS670: Engineering for La Sarthe
Designed by Bernard Boyer, the MS670 was built around a Matra-developed 60-degree V12 engine. Its aerodynamic long-tail body was conceived specifically for the high-speed straights of Le Mans. The drivetrain was a fully in-house Matra effort, backed by Simca (then part of Chrysler France) and Shell.
One Race, Two Legends, One Triple Crown
Graham Hill's victory with Pescarolo in the #15 MS670 sealed his status as the only driver in history to have won the Formula 1 World Championship, the Indianapolis 500 and the 24 Hours of Le Mans — motorsport's so-called Triple Crown. For Henri Pescarolo, it was the opening chapter of a four-win Le Mans career, three of them with Matra. The 1972 result also initiated a run of three consecutive Matra victories at Le Mans (1972, 1973, 1974), establishing the French constructor as the dominant force of early-1970s endurance racing. The Equipe Matra-Simca Shell entry ran under race number 15 throughout the event.
The 1:43 Scale Model by IXO Models
IXO Models produced this replica in die-cast metal at 1:43. The model replicates the Bluette and white livery of the #15 car, including Shell sponsorship graphics, as raced on 10–11 June 1972. Die-cast construction at this scale allows for precise surface detailing and faithful reproduction of the MS670's distinctive long-tail silhouette.
Frequently asked questions
What scale is this Matra Simca MS670 model?
It is a 1:43 scale model, produced by IXO Models in die-cast metal.
Who drove the #15 Matra Simca MS670 at Le Mans 1972?
Henri Pescarolo and Graham Hill shared the #15 car, winning outright with 344 laps completed.
Why is this Le Mans win historically significant?
Graham Hill's victory completed his Triple Crown — the only driver to win the F1 World Championship, Indianapolis 500 and Le Mans 24h. It was also the first of three consecutive Le Mans wins for Matra (1972, 1973, 1974).
What livery does the model carry?
The model reproduces the Matra Bluette pale metallic blue and white Shell livery worn by the #15 car in the 1972 24 Hours of Le Mans.
