Roy's Matra website -- English articles index

Books, Magazines, Press Articles (by model)

• Matra - The new road test compilation book by Brooklands Books, now including the Espace and Avantime.
• Sports Cars - A book about the Matra racing sports prototypes, MS 620, 630, 650, 660 and 670 by Ed McDonough.

• Auto Express 5-11th January 2000 - The new Matra P72 microcar, with spy shots.

• Veloce Publishing 2010 - Matra Sports Cars by Ed McDonough
• Classic and 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

• 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!

• 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.

• Classic Car Weekly, April 28th 2010 - Murena 2.2
• Practical Classics, August 2009 - Murena 1.6, progress so far
• 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

• Classic and 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

• 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
• 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

• Classic and Sportscar, November 1983 - M530A road test
• Car, May 1970 - M530A road test
• Autosport, May 1969 - M530A road test
• Autocar, March 1969 - M530A road test

• Classic and Sportscar, February 2015 - 4 page article on the Djet.
• Classic and Sportscar, March 1999 - In depth article on the Djet. Features a Jet 6 and some interesting photos

Many of the above articles are featured in the updated Brooklands Book's Matra road tests portfolio.