MATRA

Mécanique Aviation Traction or Matra (Mécanique Aviation TRAction) was a French company covering a wide range of activities mainly related to automobiles, bicycles, aeronautics and weaponry. In 1994, it became a subsidiary of the Lagardère Group and now operates under that name.

Matra was owned by the Floirat family. The name Matra became famous in the 1960s when it went into car production by buying Automobiles René Bonnet. Matra Automobiles produced successful racing cars and sports cars.

Matra road cars

The company was created following the acquisition of the brand Automobiles René Bonnet in 1964 by Jean-Luc Lagardere and disappeared in 2003

The Matra name was first used for road cars with the Renault-powered Matra Djet (pronounced “jet”), which was an update of the Bonnet Jet, the Djet was replaced with the Matra 530, Bagheera, the Murena and the Rancho, an early type of SUV.

In 1984 Renault launched the Matra built Espace minivan, the car was a success.

After the discontinuation of the Renault Avantime (co-designed and built by Matra), on February 27, 2003, Matra announced its intention to close its automobile factory in Romorantin-Lanthenay a month later.

In September 2003, Pininfarina SpA acquired Matra Automobile’s engineering, testing and prototype businesses. The company was subsequently named Matra Automobile Engineering. On January 13, 2009, Pininfarina sold its share in Matra Automobile Engineering to Segula Technologies.

Street models

Matra Djet
Matra 530
Matra Bagheera
Matra Murena
Matra Rancho
Renault Espace
Renault Avantim

Motorsport

In the mid-1960s Matra enjoyed considerable success in Formula 3 and Formula 2 racing with (especially) its MS5 monocoque-based car, winning the French and European championships. Matra competed as a constructor in Formula One from 1967 to 1972 and as an engine supplier between 1975 to 1982, winning the drivers’ and constructors’ championships in 1969.

Matra also competed in sports car racing from 1966 to 1974 winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1972, 1973 and 1974 and the World Championship for Makes in 1973 and 1974.

Street Models Cars

Matra Djet

BIZARRE – MATRA – DJET 5S 1965

EDICOLA – MATRA – DJET V 1966

NOSTALGIE – MATRA – DJET 6 1966

MATRA 530

BIZARRE – MATRA – 530 LX 1967

EDICOLA – MATRA – 530 1968

BASE SOLIDO – MATRA – 530 SX COUPE 1971

SOLIDO – MATRA – 530 LX 1973

Matra Bagheera

DEL PRADO – MATRA BAGHEERA

ALTAYA – MATRA BAGHEERA 1973

NOREV – MATRA SIMCA – BAGHEERA 1974

EDICOLA – MATRA SIMCA – BAGHEERA COURREGES 1976

EDICOLA – MATRA SIMCA – BAGHEERA S 1977

MATRA MURENA

IXO-MODELS – TALBOT – MATRA MURENA 1981

EDICOLA – SIMCA – TALBOT MATRA MURENA 1981

Alezan –  Matra Murena 1981

ALTAYA –  MATRA MURENA 1981

Paradcar – Matra Murena S

MATRA RANCHO

EDICOLA – SIMCA TALBOT – MATRA RANCHO 1978 – WITH SURFBOARD

EDICOLA – SIMCA – MATRA RANCHO 1978

EDICOLA – SIMCA – MATRA RANCHO 1978

NOREV – SIMCA – MATRA RANCHO 1980

SOLIDO – TALBOT – MATRA RANCHO VAN SAPEURS POMPIERS 1978

SOLIDO – TALBOT – MATRA RANCHO 1978

COLLABORATION WHIT RENAULT

SOLIDO – RENAULT – ESPACE 1991

RENAULT – AVANTIME

EDICOLA – RENAULT – AVANTIME

NOREV – RENAULT – AVANTIME