Matra

Year of foundation 1941-2003

The history of the Matra automobile manufacturer is a fascinating tale of innovation, engineering, sporting success, and industrial transformation. The name "Matra" is an acronym for Mécanique Aviation Traction, and since its inception, the company has expanded beyond the automotive sector.

From its origins to its entry into the automotive world
Matra was founded in France in 1941, inheriting CAPRA (Compagnie Anonyme de Production et de Réalisations Aéronautiques), founded in 1937. Initially, its core business was in the military and aerospace sectors. Diversification came in 1962, when the company decided to venture into the automotive field.

The turning point came with the alliance with René Bonnet, a racing driver and artisanal builder, whom Matra financed for the production of sports cars. The collaboration led to the creation of the Matra Djet, an innovative car for its time, featuring a mid-engine and fiberglass body. Shortly thereafter, Bonnet abandoned the project, and Matra acquired his small company, creating Matra Sports.

The Golden Age and Sporting Successes
Matra quickly distinguished itself in the racing world. Its factory team, active until 1972, achieved exceptional results, including:

Winning three consecutive editions of the 24 Hours of Le Mans (from 1972 to 1974) with the MS670 prototype series.

Two titles in the World Championship for Makes.

In Formula 1, Matra won the constructors' championship in 1969 with the MS80, driven by Jackie Stewart. The V12 engines, a true symbol of the company, became renowned for their unmistakable sound and performance.

Production Models and Collaborations
In parallel with its racing commitment, Matra produced a series of production vehicles distinguished by their originality and innovative technical solutions:

Matra M530: Produced in collaboration with Ford and then Chrysler. It was a mid-engined sports coupé, designed for everyday use. The name "530" referred to an air-to-air missile.

Matra-Simca Bagheera: Launched in 1973, in partnership with Simca. Its most unusual feature was the three-seater cabin, a bold solution for the time.

Matra-Simca Rancho: A true precursor of modern SUVs. Introduced in 1977, it combined a commercial vehicle chassis and mechanics (the Simca 1100 VF2) with a fiberglass body, creating a practical and versatile vehicle, economical to produce yet with a striking appearance.

Talbot Matra Murena: Successor to the Bagheera, produced from 1980 to 1984. It retained the three-seater configuration but with a galvanized chassis to address the corrosion problems of the previous model.

The turning point with Renault and the end
In the mid-1980s, Matra entered into a new collaboration, this time with Renault. This partnership resulted in a car that would revolutionize the market: the Renault Espace. Matra oversaw the design and production of the model, which proved to be a resounding commercial success, effectively creating the minivan segment in Europe.

The decline began when Renault decided to insource production of the Espace. Matra then focused on the Renault Avantime, a bold and innovative coupé minivan, but with very limited commercial success. This failure marked the beginning of the end.

In 2003, Matra's engineering division was acquired by Pininfarina. The automotive brand, after a history rich in sporting successes and iconic models, ceased vehicle production. Today, Matra's heritage is preserved in the Romorantin museum, where you can admire its historic models and understand the legacy of a brand that has left an indelible mark on the history of the automobile.