In 1968/69 Matra ordered the aerodynamic engineer Robert Choulet to produce a very sleek coupé - specially designed for Le-Mans (ie top speed at Mulsanne). Due to his earlier work with Charles Deutsch, Choulet gave the Matra 640 a familiar look to that of the Peugeot CD : very rounded shapes, with smooth wheel-arches (and partly covered rear wheels) - and vertical fins at the rear.
   The chassis of the 640 didn't distinguish itself much from the M650 (which was developed at the same time) : tubular steel structure, original suspension with horizontal dampers in the front.
   The 16 April, Matra brought its 640 to the Sarthe circuit. Henri Pescarolo took it to the track to warm up the engine... but disaster struck a few miles down the Mulsanne straight : the car took off, and was pulverised - miraculously Pescarolo was pulled out alive - although he was severely burned.
   According to what Pescarolo has later reported, the bodywork/wings in the front were flexing too much at high speeds, which suddenly allowed for the air to enter under the car, lifting it from the track.
   The 640 was not rebuilt, and the project was forgotten.
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