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.
Make
Model
Level III
Level II
Level I
Alfa Romeo
Tipo 33/2
$1,000,000
$1,300,000
$1,600,000
Tipo 33/3
$1,000,000
$1,300,000
$1,600,000
Tipo 33 TT/3
$1,000,000
$1,200,000
$1,400,000
Tipo 33 TT SC12
$1,000,000
$1,100,000
$1,300,000
Ferrari
250 P/ 275 P
$25,000,000
$27,000,000
$30,000,000
330 P
$25,000,000
$28,000,000
$30,000,000
330 P2
$16,000,000
$18,000,000
$20,000,000
250 LM / 275 LM
$27,000,000
$30,000,000
$35,000,000
365 P2 – P3
$35,000,000
$37,000,000
$40,000,000
330 P3
$40,000,000
$43,000,000
$45,000,000
330 P4
$40,000,000
$43,000,000
$45,000,000
512 M/S
$6,000,000
$7,000,000
$8,000,000
312 P
$12,000,000
$13,000,000
$14,000,000
312 PB
$8,000,000
$9,000,000
$10,000,000
Ford
GT 40 Mk I
$4,000,000
$6,000,000
$8,000,000
GT 40 Mk I Gulf Team Cars
$15,000,000
$18,000,000
$22,000,000
GT 40 Mk II
$10,000,000
$15,000,000
$20,000,000
GT 40 Mk IV
$10,000,000
$15,000,000
$20,000,000
Gulf Mirage
M6/GR7
$1,800,000
$2,000,000
$2,200,000
Ligier
JS3
$1,000,000
$1,100,000
$1,200,000
Lola
Mk VI
$1,100,000
$1,200,000
$1,300,000
T70 Mk III
$500,000
$600,000
$700,000
T70 Mk IIIB GT
$1,000,000
$1,100,000
$1,200,000
T280
$1,000,000
$1,100,000
$1,200,000
T282, 284, 286
$800,000
$900,000
$1,200,000
T600
$200,000
$250,000
$300,000
March
83G-85G GTP
$200,000
$250,000
$325,000
Matra
MS 630/650
$3,000,000
$3,500,000
$4,000,000
MS 670/670B
$6,000,000
$7,000,000
$8,000,000
Porsche
906
$1,300,000
$1,600,000
$2,000,000
910
$1,700,000
$2,000,000
$2,500,000
907
$3,300,000
$3,800,000
$4,500,000
908K
$3,000,000
$3,800,000
$4,500,000
908 LT Coupe
$3,800,000
$4,400,000
$5,000,000
908/02
$3,000,000
$3,800,000
$4,500,000
908/02 LT Spyder
$3,500,000
$4,000,000
$4,500,000
908/03
$4,000,000
$6,000,000
$7,000,000
917K
$16,000,000
$18,000,000
$22,000,000
956
$800,000
$1,500,000
$2,000,000
962
$800,000
$1,500,000
$2,000,000
956-962 Rothmans
$6,000,000
$7,500,000
$10,000,000
Renault Alpine
A220
$400,000
$500,000
$600,000
A442
$3,500,000
$4,000,000
$5,000,000
Rondeau
M 379/M 382
$250,000
$300,000
$350,000
Matra MS 670 Sports Prototype
Photo: Pete Austin
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.
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