<< Prev Page 2 of 2 A third evolution was prepared for the 1972 season. While it still used the angular monocoque, it featured a full-width nose with an integrated wing. An airbox was also mounted on top of the 'MS72' engine, to further improve performance. No new cars were built and instead two of the MS120B chassis were upgraded to MS120C specification. With Matra also chasing a victory in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the team scaled down its Formula 1 efforts to a single car, for Amon only. He made five appearances with the MS120C in 1972 with a fourth at Brands Hatch as the best result.
At the 1972 French Grand Prix, Amon was in a brand new MS120D. Effectively a MS120 in name only, it boasted a much rounder monocoque chassis. The fuel tanks were moved from the lateral pontoons to a single tank behind the seat. The MS120D was a significant step forward and Amon actually led the French Grand Prix but had to settle for third after a puncture. Sadly, he could do no better than a fifth and a sixth in the remaining Grands Prix with the MS120D.
The season-ending United States Grand Prix would turn out to be the last for Equipe Matra. Instead the French manufacturer concentrated on the World Sports Car Championship, having already won at Le Mans in 1972. Matra did eventually return as an engine supplier with the V12 engine finally scoring a victory at the 1977 Swedish Grand Prix in the back of a Ligier JS7. Of the seven MS120s built, six are known to have survived. At least three are regularly raced in historic events for all of us to enjoy the glorious howl of the V12 engine. << Prev Page 2 of 2
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A third evolution was prepared for the 1972 season. While it still used the angular monocoque, it featured a full-width nose with an integrated wing. An airbox was also mounted on top of the 'MS72' engine, to further improve performance. No new cars were built and instead two of the MS120B chassis were upgraded to MS120C specification. With Matra also chasing a victory in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the team scaled down its Formula 1 efforts to a single car, for Amon only. He made five appearances with the MS120C in 1972 with a fourth at Brands Hatch as the best result.