Matra Books - History and Models

Matra - Brooklands Portfolio

Brooklands Portfolio book featuring Matra models from the years 1965-2003. Describes the Matra Djet 5, Jet 6, M530, M650, Bagheera, Murena, Rancho, Espace phase I, II, and III, Avantime, MS80, MS84, MS670B and many other models designed by Matra.

• The period articles, brought together from leading British and American car magazines, provide much information about history, model changes and engineering.
• Also driving impressions, original road tests, comparison tests, technical data, etc.

Product details

Details:	200 pages, 11 x 8.25 x 0.55 in (28 x 21 x 1.4 cm), paperback
Illustrations:	extensively illustrated
Publisher:	Brooklands Books (GB, 2012)
ISBN:	9781855209459

More information about Brooklands Portfolio books

La Renault Avantime de mon père

The Avantime, developed by Renault and Matra at the turn of the 2000s, represents a new approach to French luxury automobiles, combining pleasure and innovation. This unique model blends the characteristics of a coupé, a convertible with its "grand air" feature, and a minivan with avant-garde design. It offers Renault a "third path" in the luxury market.

Launched in 2001 with a 3L V6 engine, the Avantime was later followed by 2L turbo petrol and 2.2L turbo diesel versions in 2002. Despite its innovative concept, the Avantime failed to establish itself in the market, and its sales targets were never met.

This richly illustrated book is dedicated to the Renault Avantime, with only 8.552 units produced between 2001 and 2003. It provides a detailed account of its history, evolution, and technical features, as well as its variants and special editions. Part of the "La voiture de mon père" series, this book is a valuable guide for owners and collectors, including more than 250 period photos, many of which are previously unpublished.

Product details

Author:	André Dewael
Details:	120 pages, 8.5 x 9 in (21.5 x 24 cm), hardback
Illustrations:	298 b&w and color photos
Publisher:	ETAI (F, 2017)
Series:	De mon père
ISBN:	9791028301750

Matra de route

Matra is a story of passion, a stroke of genius, and a serious dose of conviction! The technological and commercial dream of a young, innovative and aggressive business leader who decides to create, starting from almost nothing, a brand and model of automobile for the bouncing youth of the 1960s. That's a few years later, the M 530, non-conformist and provocative, the Bagheera with its obvious success, the astonishing career of the Simca Rancho and the logical outcome of the Talbot Murena.

Matra's road adventure is also a breeding ground for talent to anticipate future success. Multiple prototypes and projects, some of which, like the masterstroke of the Renault Espace, have already entered automotive history as textbook cases.

Product details

Author:	Dominique Pagneux
Details:	192 pages, 12.2 x 9.25 in (31 x 23.5 cm), hardback
Illustrations:	350 color photos
Publisher:	ETAI (F, 2003)
ISBN:	9782726886038

La Rancho de mon père

The Matra-Simca Rancho, produced from 1977 to 1984 with 56.457 units, embodies the freedom and outdoor lifestyle of the 1970s.
Philippe Guédon conceived a "green car" between the Méhari and Range Rover, based on the Simca 1100 pick-up VF2. The aim was a leisure vehicle with a 4x4 look, suitable for families and outdoor activities.

Powered by a 1442 cm³ engine, the Rancho was a front-wheel drive with off-road capability, ideal for country roads and paths. Its generous cargo space (1005-2200 dm3) also appealed to tradespeople and merchants.

This richly illustrated book details the history and development of the Matra-Simca/Talbot-Matra Rancho, its variants, modifications, and special editions. With over 280 period photos, many previously unpublished, it provides a comprehensive view of the vehicle and is a reference for owners, enthusiasts, and fans of distinctive cars.
Part of the "La voiture de mon père" series, it combines detailed information with a practical guide to this iconic model.

Product details

Author:	André Dewael
Details:	120 pages, 8.5 x 9 in (21.5 x 24 cm), hardback
Illustrations:	281 b&w and color photos
Publisher:	ETAI (F, 2014)
Series:	De mon père
ISBN:	9791028300159

La Renault Espace de mon père

Who doesn't know the Renault Espace? A true social phenomenon, it shook up the codes of the European automobile in the mid-1980s by imposing the concept of the minivan.
Born at Matra to succeed the Talbot-Matra Rancho, it was adopted by Renault where it would embody the "car for living" par excellence. Produced in more than one million two hundred thousand units over thirty years, this niche car created a market segment of which it has continued to be the leader, thanks to innovations.

The author has gathered abundant documentation taking you in the wake of this incredible automotive success: from the first sketches to the developments of successive generations, including anecdotes from its designers.

• Richly illustrated, this book is devoted to the Renault Espace I, II and III MPVs from 1984-2002.
• Retraces in detail the history and evolution of Renault Espace cars produced by Matra (Matra P23, P36 and P52 projects).
• This volume of the "La voiture de mon père" collection is not only a source of in-depth information for the owner, but also a concise guide to originality.
• The technology, variants, modifications and special versions are described in detail.
• Contains more than 200 period photos, often unpublished.

Product details

Author:	André Dewael
Details:	120 pages, 8.5 x 9 in (21.5 x 24 cm), hardback
Illustrations:	200 b&w and color photos
Publisher:	ETAI (F, 2016)
Series:	De mon père
ISBN:	9791028301019