The Matra 530 is a sports car created and built by the French engineering group Matra.
| Matra 530 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Matra Automobiles |
| Also called | Matra Sports M530A Matra Simca M530LX/SX |
| Production | 1967–1973 |
| Assembly | France |
| Designer | Philippe Guédon (original design), Studio Michelotti (1970 facelift) |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Sports car |
| Body style | 2-door targa top 2+2 |
| Layout | MR layout |
| Related | Taunus 15M TS (running gear), Renault 16 (headlights) |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 1.7 L Taunus V4 OHV V4 |
| Transmission | 4-speed manual |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2.65 metres (104.3 in) |
| Length | 4.197 metres (165.2 in) |
| Width | 1.62 metres (63.8 in) |
| Height | 1.20 metres (47.2 in) |
| Curb weight | 935 kg (2,061 lb) (LX) 915 kg (2,017 lb) (SX) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Matra Djet |
| Successor | Matra Bagheera |
The first real Matra
In 1965 Matra's CEO Jean-Luc Lagardère decided to develop a sports car that would be more accessible to the ordinary, non-racing public, a voiture des copains (car for chums), as a successor to the Matra Djet. The result was the first "true" Matra sports car (the Djet had been a René Bonnet design) the Matra M530. The car was named after Matra's R530 missile, and designed by a former Simca designer called Philippe Guédon.
Like its predecessor, the M530 was built on a steel frame with polyester body and had a mid-engine. To accommodate a 2+2, mid-engine layout and a reasonable boot, various engine options were considered. In the end, the running gear came from Ford in Germany: the "high compression" 1699 cc Ford Taunus V4 engine and gearbox from the Taunus 15M TS were chosen. This combination was compact enough to fit between the rear seats and the boot.
Other unusual features of the M530 were its targa top roof, pop-up headlights and, most notably, the outstanding avant-garde design.
M530A
The first 530 (badged Matra Sports M530A) was shown to the public on March 7, 1967 at the Geneva Motor Show. It had a 70 DIN hp Ford 1700 cc V4 engine, which gave the car a top speed of 175 km/h (109 mph). It entered production a month later, incorporating modifications that included the addition of a chrome bumper bar to provide for the front grill much needed protection from parking shunts, a modest reshaping of the dashboard to give the passenger a little more knee room, and the repositioning of the ignition key to facilitate access.[1] In its first two production years, the chassis was built by Carrier in Alençon and assembly was undertaken by French coachbuilder Brissonneau et Lotz at Creil.[2] The engine bay of the early model 530 was accessible by removing the acrylic glass rear window.
French artist Sonia Delaunay painted a 530A at special request of Matra's CEO Jean-Luc Lagardère in 1968.[3]
1969 saw many changes to the 530. First, the running gear followed the same evolution as the Ford model it was taken from and power increased to 75 DIN hp by using a different carburetor. Secondly, Matra closed a deal with Chrysler Europe, to sell their cars through the Simca dealer network from 1970 onwards and jointly develop the M530's successor. Finally, the cars were now constructed completely at the Matra Automobiles factory in Romorantin.
Road Test M530A
The British "Autocar" magazine tested a Matra M530A in March 1969. The car had a top speed of 95 mph (153 km/h) and accelerated from 0-60 mph (97 km/h) in 15.6 seconds. An "overall" fuel consumption of 26.9 miles per imperial gallon (10.5 L/100 km; 22.4 mpg‑US) was recorded. This put it significantly behind the similarly priced Lotus Elan +2 on performance, but the two cars were closely matched on fuel economy. The Ford engined Matra's £2,160 manufacturer's recommended price was a little lower than the £2,244 price on the Lotus, but both were massively undercut by the £1,217 then being asked for the MG MGB GT, based on an older simpler design and sold in greater numbers. Also included in the price comparison was the Porsche 912 then being offered in the UK with a manufacturer's recommended retail price of £2,894 . The testers commended the Matra's refinement, handling and steering, soundness of construction and finish, while noting that its performance was 'not outstanding'.[4]
M530LX
Introduced at the 1970 Geneva Motor Show was the Matra Simca M530LX, which was a minor redesign of the 530A by Michelotti. The most notable changes were the rear hatch (now made of glass and opens with struts like a hatchback) and the front bumper.
M530SX
A budget version of the 530, Matra Simca 530SX, was introduced in October 1971.[5] The SX lacks the targa top roof and pop-up headlights. Instead there were four fixed headlights mounted on top of the front (hence it was nicknamed "The Pirate"), the only available colours being orange and white and the finishing was much simpler than the LX version (black instead of chrome bumpers). It wasn't commercialised on all markets where the LX was sold and while its luxury brother didn't sell well (because of its awkward "either you'll love it or you'll hate it" design, poor build quality and lack of engine power), the SX sold even worse.
Production numbers
M530's production ceased in 1973, a total 9,609 cars (2,062 530A, 4,731 530LX and 1,146 530SX) have been built.[6]
No right-hand drive M530's have been built and no known RHD conversions exist.
References
- ^ "Automobilia". Toutes les voitures françaises 1968 (salon [Paris Oct] 1967). Nr. 29. Paris: Histoire & collections: Pages 42 - 43. 2004.
{{cite journal}}:|volume=has extra text (help) - ^ MATRA 530 (1967-1973)
- ^ L'Incroyable Collection; Matra 530 Sonia Delaunay
- ^ "Autotest - Matra M530A". Autocar. 130 (nbr 3813): pages 6–11. date 13 March 1969.
{{cite journal}}:|pages=has extra text (help); Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Simca & Matra Sports Club
- ^ The Matra M530