Galvanised Chassis Frame – Talbot Matra Murena

Arguably the most attractive of the sports cars to emerge from Matra’s Romorantin plant was the Murena which replaced the Bagheera, both designed by Antonis Volanis, in 1980.

Talbot Matra Murena, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

The Murena used the same chassis as the Bagheera but it differed crucially in now being made from galvanized steel so that it did not rot as the chassis of the Bagheera was renowned for.

Talbot Matra Murena, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

Inside the new fibreglass-polyester body there was a row of three seats for the driver and two passengers and the engine was mid mounted both features as per Bagheera.

Talbot Matra Murena, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

Two engine sizes were available 70hp 1.6 litre / 97 cui from the Talbot Solara saloon and 115 hp 2.2 litre / 134 cui with a heavy cast iron block from the Talbot Togara saloon the later being available with single or twin carburetors which boosted the power to 142hp.

Talbot Matra Murena, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

Production of the Murena only lasted from 1980 to 1983 by which time Renault, to whom Matra were about switch allegiance from Talbot part of the Peugeot Société Anonyme group, asked Matra to desist from building any more Murena’s.

Talbot Matra Murena, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

In all 10,680 Murena’s were built before Matra’s Romorantin plant switched to building Renault Espace mini vans.

Thanks for joining me on this “Galvanised Chassis Frame” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow. Don’t forget to come back now !

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