Matra 530
| 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 Matra 530 is a sports car created and built by the French engineering group Matra.
In 1965 Matra's CEO Jean-Luc Lagardère decided to develop a successor to the Matra Djet that would be more accessible to the non-racing public - a voiture des copains (car for chums). The result was the Matra M530, the first "true" Matra sports car, the Djet having been a René Bonnet design. The car was named after Matra's R.530 missile, and was designed by former Simca designer Philippe Guédon.
Like its predecessor, the M530 was built on a steel frame with polyester body and a mid-engine layout. To accommodate 2+2 seating, a mid-mounted engine 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 noteworthy features of the M530 were its targa top roof, pop-up headlights and, most notably, the outstanding avant-garde design.
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 1699 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 much-needed protection from parking shunts for the front grill, 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. 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. The engine bay of the early model 530 was accessible by removing the acrylic glass rear window.
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Wikipedia