1974 Matra-Simca Bagheera

1959scudetto · July 2, 2023

Matra-Simca Bagheera: another small European mid-engine sportscar:

In the early 70’s, Matra needed a replacement for their odd-looking 530 LX (mid-mounted Ford V4-engine). Together with Simca they created their new (mid-engine) 3-seater (!) sportscar: front suspension and engine came from the Simca 1100 TI, whereas rear suspension, steel frame and fiberglass body were Matra’s own.

At the 24 h Le Mans 1973 racing weekend, the car was presented to the public for the first time: 1300 cc, 86 hp, 115 mph top speed.

A few years later a 1440 cc engine with 90 hp was offered, though retaining the 4-speed transmission.

The Matra-Simca Bagheera was built from 1973 – 1980 and then replaced with the Talbot-Matra Murena (as PSA Peugeot Citroen had bought the European daughters of Chrysler, i.e. also Matra-Simca, the Bagheera was re-named Talbot-Matra Bagheera in late 1979).

This is what the original from 1974 looked like:

and the model released by Hachette in May , 2017 in the French newsstand series “Auto vintage de Luxe Collection”: No openings here, but good proportions - the front valance panel below the grill must be painted body color, interior detailing and a little touch up with silver/chrome paint is needed, but otherwise a good representation of the real thing: