Roy's Matra Enthusiasts pages
Magazines, Press Articles (by date, newest first)
Practical Classics, April 2010 'Glamour Models' - French chic Citroen DS, Matra-Simca Bagheera, Panhard CT24, and Renault Caravelle examined.
Classic Car Weekly, March 31st 2010 Murena 2.2
Practical Classics, August 2009 - Murerna 1.6 staff vehicle - progress so far.
Practical Classics, February 2005 onwards - Restoration of a Bagheera S in 12 installments. (Last installment January 10th in their February 2006 issue)
Classic and Sportscar, February 2003 - A comparison between a Murena 2.2 and a Lancia Monte Carlo. Good photos and a great conclusion!
Classic Cars, August 2001 - A piece featuring Clive's Rancho. They have a list of ten classics you should consider buying, and they include the Rancho.
Classics magazine, May 2001 - A comparison of the Matra Murena, Mazda RX7 and Porsche 924. However, it's a little unfair on the Matra as this is only a 1.6 model. Against those two it should have been a 2.2
Auto Express 5-11th January 2000 - The new Matra P72 microcar, with spy shots.
Classic Cars, November 1999 - More for your wedge - Alfa GTV6 v Lotus Excel v Murena 2.2 - buy yourself a bargain. Some interesting comparisons, features Roy Gillard's exceptional low mileage Murena.
Practical Classics, November 1999 - Mid-engined comparison - X1/9 v Monte Carlo v Murena 2.2 v MR2 v VW/Porsche 914/6 - Has the details of each car but draws no comparisons apart from performance figures etc. (I was surprised that the Murena was faster than the MR2 - maybe the original is best?). Features Richard Elliot's Murena 2.2. I like his comment about his Bagheera project - is there anyone in the club without a Bagheera in bits in the garage?
Classic Cars, July 1999 - Lotus Europa v Matra 530 - Battle of the off-the-wall sports cars. Features John Allan's 530A. An interesting article with an agreeable verdict!
Classic and Sportscar, March 1999 - In depth article on the Djet. Features a Jet 6 and some interesting photos.
Autosport, 25th February 1999 - Includes an article by Jackie Stewart about his '69 World Championship in the MS80. Volume 154 number 8
Classic and Sportscar, May 1997 - Driving six of the best middies. Features an AC 3000 ME, Fiat X/19, Lancia Monte Carlo, Lotus Europa Twin Cam Special, John Allan's Matra 530, and a VW-Porsche 914. The writer has excellent taste, his favourite being the 530!
Autoclassic Weekly, August 1992 (sorry, don't know which week) - Bagheera buying guide
Car, August 1991 - Espace buyers guide
Autocar, May 1991 - Espace V6 impressions.
Popular Classics, Jan 1991 - Murena comparison
Sportscars Illustrated, Dec 1990 - Murena buyers guide
Auto Passion, July 1990 - French M530 comprehensive test
Auto Passion, Dec 1989 - Comprehensive French test of a D'Djet.
Retro Hebdo 12th November 1988 - (French magazine) - Very interesting article on restoration of a series 2 Bagheera.
Specialist Sportcar, March 1988 - Murena feature
Sports Car Monthly, March 1986 - Matra Bagheera and Murena. Buyer's guide on the Bagheera with some info on the Murena. Are Bagheeras WVF 707S and SMK589Y still on the road?
Auto Retro, Jan 1985 - French road test on the D'Jet.
Gran Turismo, April 1984 - RHD Murena 2.2 Turbo
Alternative Cars, Dec 1983 - Murena Prep 142/S
Classic and Sportscar, Nov 1983 - M530A road test
Auto Retro, Nov 1983 - M530A road test
Alternative Cars, July 1983 - RHD Murena impressions
Alternative Cars, June 1983 - Murena French lessons
Alternative Cars, Feb 1983 - Murena Amour. Report on the 1.6 Murena
Motor 25th July 1981 - Review of the new Talbot-Matra Murena 2.2 Also has an interesting article on the French motor industry.
Autocar, July 1981 - RHD Murena 2.2 Turbo
Car, May 1981 - Murena the Marvellous
Autocar, Jun 1978 - Rancho road test
Car, April 1978 - Bagheera S2 impressions
Motor, August 1977 - Bagheera S2 road test
Car, May 1976 - Menage a trois Bagheera S1 report
Autocar, June 1975 - Bagheera S1 road test
Automobile Quarterly 1973 - American hardback book. Test of a Bagheera S1
Car, Dec 1973 - Bagheera impressions
Car, May 1970 - M530A road test
Autosport, May 1969 - M530A road test
Autocar, March 1969 - M530A road test
Auto Collection No 82 - Current French booklet series, this one is on the M530 but has a little info on other Matra's. Definitely worth picking one up next time you're in France.
Auto Collection No 42 - Current French booklet series, this one is on the Djet but has a little info on other Matra's. Definitely worth picking one up next time you're in France.
Many of the above articles are features in Brooklands Book's Matra 1965 - 1983, which is available through the club. See the club contacts page for details.
