Roy's Matra Enthusiasts pages
Books, Magazines, Press Articles (by model)
Matra do occasionally make it into the British car press (original list
compiled by club member Mike Hally
with his comments). Now updated, here are various articles (with a few in French) to keep an eye out for:
Also check out the Palmier website under Marques.
Matra Projects:
Auto Express 5-11th January 2000 - The new Matra P72 microcar, with spy shots.
Motor Racing:
Classic & Sports Car, February 2005 - Includes a three page feature on Henri Pescarolo about his Matra Le Mans experiences.
Autosport, 25th February 1999 - Includes an article by Jackie Stewart about his '69 World Championship in the MS80. Volume 154 number 8
Comparisons:
Retro Viseur, November 2003 - 'Trois places d'avance' Dossier on Matra Bagheera and Murena (French)
Classic and Sportscar, February 2003 - A comparison between a Murena 2.2 and a Lancia Monte Carlo. Good photos and a great conclusion!
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
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, 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!
Espace:
Classic Cars, December 2001 'Space Age' - Espace 1 report.
Autocar, April 1997 - The new Espace III.
Car, August 1991 - Espace 1 buyers guide.
Autocar, May 1991 - Espace 2 V6 impressions.
Murena:
Classic Car Weekly, April 28th 2010 - Murena 2.2
Practical Classics, August 2009 - Murena 1.6, progress so far
Gazoline, June 2003 - Murena restauration (2) French
Gazoline, May 2003 - Murena restauration (1) French
Retro Passion, Dec 2002 - Road test Matra Murena 2.2 (French)
Classic and Sports Car, December 1996 - Bagheera and Murena buying guide.
Popular Classics, January 1991 - Murena comparison
Sportscars Illustrated, December 1990 - Murena buyers guide
Specialist Sportcar, March 1988 - Murena feature
Gran Turismo, April 1984 - RHD Murena 2.2 Turbo
Alternative Cars, December 1983 - Murena Prep 142/S
Alternative Cars, July 1983 - RHD Murena impressions
Alternative Cars, June 1983 - Murena French lessons
Alternative Cars, February 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
Rancho:
Classic & Sports Car, May 2010 - A feature on Clive's Rancho.
Classic Cars, August 2001 - They have a list of ten classics you should consider buying, and they include Clive's Rancho.
Autocar, Jun 1978 - Rancho road test
Bagheera:
Practical Classics, April 2010 'Glamout Models' - French chic Citroen DS, Matra-Simca Bagheera, Panhard CT24 and Renault Caravelle examined.
Practical Classics, February 2005 onwards - Restoration of a Bagheera S in 12 installments. (Last installment January 10th in their February 2006 issue)
Classic Cars, April 2001 'Strange Brew' - Bagheera X report.
Autoclassic Weekly, August 1992 (sorry, don't know which week) - Bagheera buying guide
Retro Hebdo 12th November 1988 - (French magazine) - Very interesting article on restoration of a series 2 Bagheera.
Sports Car Monthly, March 1986 - Matra Bagheera. Buyer's guide on the Bagheera with some info. on the Murena.
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, December 1973 - Bagheera impressions
530:
Auto Passion, July 1990 - French M530 comprehensive test
Classic and Sportscar, November 1983 - M530A road test
Auto Retro, Nov 1983 - M530A road test
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.
Djet:
Gazoline, March 2005 - Bonnet Djet 1 (French)
Classic and Sportscar, March 1999 - In depth article on the Djet. Features a Jet 6 and some interesting photos.
Auto Passion, Dec 1989 - Comprehensive French test of a Djet.
Auto Retro, Jan 1985 - French road test on the Djet.
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.
DB:
Editions du Palmier, 2002 - Softback book on DB (French)
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.
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This was last updated 1st May '10