Lot details
Registration No: VTY260Y
Chassis No: VF853C432CX650559
Mot Expiry: April 2003

Aerospace Matra went into cars in 1965 with their takeover of GT makers Rene Bonnet. 1969 owners Simca were, in turn, taken over by Chrysler in 1970, Simca's 1294cc motor being transversely-mounted in the rear of the Matra Bagheera with 3-seats in a row from 1973. A 1442cc engine was fitted from 1977 and, following Peugeot-Talbot's 1979 takeover of Chrysler's Euro operations, it was renamed a Talbot-Matra.
The Murena replacement had a 2-seater coupe body, 1.6 Simca or 2155cc Talbot Tagora engine and Citroen CX gearbox. 10,613 were built before Matra was acquired by Renault in 1983 and the 1969 F1 winning constructor and 1972-74 Le Mans victors had reached the end of the road. Renault built the Espace in the factory.
The four owner, 160,000 kilometres Murena 2.2 offered was imported new in 1983. It was restored in 2000 to S spec by a UK Matra Specialist with full engine rebuild on twin Dellortos, rebuilt gearbox with new clutch, stainless steel exhaust, repaint in Daytona Yellow with interior retrim, new tinted side windows, and new tyres and alloys. Parts are readily available and there is a thriving Matra Enthusiasts Club in the UK.