The FIA sports prototypes were some of the most exciting purpose-built racing cars ever designed. They competed under the regulations set fourth by the FIA (Federation International l’Automobile) in the International Championship of Makes during 1964-1971, and the World Championship of Makes from 1972-1981. The regulations changed somewhat as the years passed, 5.0-liter engines, then 3.0-liter engines, etc., but the concept remained the same. To allow manufacturers to design the most fascinating, technically advanced sports racing cars the world had seen. Then have them compete in a World Championship, which included racing in the great endurance races such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the 1000-kilometer races at the Nürburgring, Spa and Monza, and the Targa Florio. Alfa Romeo, Alpine Renault, Ferrari, Ford, Lola, Matra and Porsche, all designed very lightweight, successful sports prototypes to compete in the World Championship. From this came the Alfa Romeo Tipo 33/12, Ferrari 512M, Ford GT40, Matra 670 and Porsche 917. They were driven by the world’s best drivers at a time when Formula One drivers still enjoyed driving in sports car races. Today FIA sports prototypes qualify to race in many great historic events such as the Le Mans 24 Hour Classic, Classic Endurance Series and the Monterey Motorsports Reunion. Due to their technology, great designs, eligibility and low production number, FIA sports prototypes have steadily been increasing in value.
Matra MS 670 Sports Prototype
Matra (Mecanique Aviation Traction) was a French company that was known for its success in manufacturing in the aerospace and weapons industry. In 1965, wanting to alter its image and take advantage of its unique group of engineers, it purchased the small Automobiles René Bonnet company and ventured off into automobile production. Thus, the Matra road car, and soon to be racecar, division was under way. This new company was very successful, first in 1967 Formula Two with Jacky Ickx in the MS5, then winning the 1969 Formula One World Championship with Jackie Stewart driving the Matra MS80. Matra designed the MS630-650 and MS670 Sports Prototypes with the focus on winning the 24-hour endurance race and the World Championship of Makes. Matra was successful in winning Le Mans in 1972-1973-1974 and the World Championship of Makes title in 1973 and 1974. Matra designed and built the chassis, body and 3.0 liter V12 engine. This was quite an accomplishment previously only under-taken by BRM, Ferrari and Alfa Romeo. This from a fairly new division of this aerospace and weapons company in a short number of years. Drivers included Henri Pescarolo, Jean-Pierre Beltoise, Graham Hill, Howden Ganley, Jean-Pierre Jarier, Jean-Pierre Jabouille and Gerard Larrousse. Today it is exciting to see Rick and Rob Hall driving the cars of Aba Kogan in historic races so that we can all enjoy the sights and sounds of the Matra V12.
Porsche 956/962
By 1981, Porsche AG of Stuttgart, Germany, already enjoyed a reputation as a successful racecar manufacturer, having designed and built winning cars from the little, 4-cylinder 550 Spyder to the big, 12-cylinder, Le Mans-winning 917K, and the sleek, turbocharged Le Mans–winning 936. What would it create next? In June of 1981 Porsche embarked on a new design, the 956, with which to compete in the FIA World Championship of Makes and the American IMSA GTP Championship. This sports prototype was Porsche’s first aluminum alloy monocoque design. It was to be powered by variations of the 6-cylinder turbo engine used in the 935. It was designed and built in house by a very talented team and took less than 12 months to go from idea to first race win. The first 956 debuted at the Silverstone 6 Hours in May of 1982. In June of 1982 the 956 finished 1st, 2nd and 3rd at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. By the end of 1982, Porsche’s new model had won the FIA World Championship of Makes and the Drivers World Championship.
The 962, introduced in 1984, was an evolution of the 956 with a slightly longer wheelbase.
The 956/962 model won 10 World Championships, 50 national championships and countless individual races, including the big three of the 12 Hours of Sebring, the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. There were 28 956s and 92 962s built between 1982 and 1991. This was not counting the monocoques built by privateers.
Criteria Used For Assessing Valuations for this Guide:
- Degree of Originality
- Overall Condition, Restoration
- Technology, Design, Coachbuilder
- Production Numbers/Rarity
- Competition History
- Ownership History, Documentation
- Modern Event Eligibility
Regional Variances
The prices stated in this guide are based on U.S. values. The values of historic racing cars can vary as much as 25%-35% in other countries, depending on local market appeal, currency rates, import duties, and VAT. Most of the time, we are able to document known sales or closed escrows, as they say in real estate. When this is not possible, a logical estimate of the car’s value is given, based on its sales history and relationship to cars of its type.
The prices stated in this guide are based on U.S. values. The values of historic racing cars can vary as much as 25%-35% in other countries, depending on local market appeal, currency rates, import duties, and VAT.
LEVEL | VALUATION CATEGORIES |
|---|---|
I | The best combination of all criteria. |
II | Satisfies mid-range of criteria. |
III | In need of restoration. Meets only a few points of criteria |
