Tag Archives: Urraco

Baby Urraco – Matra Simca Bagheera

After Matra entered an agreement with Chrysler Europe to distribute it’s Ford V4 powered 530 through the Simca dealer network in 1969 the two companies agreed to work on a new Chrysler Simca powered replacement which became the Matra Simca Bagheera which was launched in 1973.

Matra Simca Bagheera,  Classic Motorshow, NEC, Birmingham

Designed by Antonis Volanis the Bagheera, named after Rudyard Kiplings panther character in The Jungle Book, retained the mid engine layout of it’s 530 and Djet antecedents, but unusually featured three seats abreast in the cockpit.

Matra Simca Bagheera,  Classic Motorshow, NEC, Birmingham

Originally the Bagheera was powered by an 84 hp 1294 cc / 78.9 cui 4 cylinder engine, sourced from the Simca 1100 TI 5 door hatchback, which gave the car a top speed of 101 mph, in 1975 a Bagheera S with a 90 bhp version of the Simca 1308 1442cc / 87.9 cui engine raised the top speed up to 109 mph. Three prototype Bagheera’s were built with two transverse engines driving a common prop shaft to make a U configuration, as seen on the Bugatti T45, but never got beyond the evaluation stage

Matra Simca Bagheera,  Classic Motorshow, NEC, Birmingham

British motoring LJK Streight was so impressed with the Bagheera when he tested it that he likened it to a “baby Lamborghini Urraco”, the only downside to the model was that the steel chassis beneath the fibre glass body had no rust protection and was prone to rot.

Matra Simca Bagheera,  Classic Motorshow, NEC, Birmingham

The Bagheera’s body was updated in 1976 and the interior in 1978, the model seen here at the Classic Motor Show was built in 1979, in July 1979 the model was rebranded as a Talbot Matra Bagheera, and was first registered in the UK in April 1984.

In all 47,802 Bagheeras were built between 1973 and 1980 when the model was replaced by the Talbot Matra Murena a model I shall be looking at next Tuesday.

Thanks for joining me on this “Baby Urraco” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow when I’ll be visiting the Classic Motor Show at the NEC in Birmingham. Don’t forget to come back now !

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It’s a Lamborghini Philistine – Lamborghini Urraco 3000

Named after a small breed of fighting bull the 2+2 Lamborghini Urraco Coupé was Lamborghini’s first V8 powered car, built to compete with the Ferrari Dino 308 GT4.

Lamborghini Urraco, Auto Italia, Brooklands

The Urraco was first shown to the public in 1970, but was not available for sale to the public until 1973 when the Dino 308 GT4 also went on sale.

Lamborghini Urraco, Auto Italia, Brooklands

The transverse mounted V8 motor was available in 3 sizes P200 2 litre / 122 cui with 180 hp, P250 2.5 litre / 147 cui with 217 hp and P300 3 litre / 183 cui with 247 hp.

Lamborghini Urraco, Auto Italia, Brooklands

Like the Dino 308 GT 4 the Urraco carries Bertone bodywork designed by Marcello Gandini

Lamborghini Urraco, Auto Italia, Brooklands

The top end P300 model as seen here at Auto Italia Brooklands was capable of reaching 62 mph from rest in 5.6 seconds and a top speed of 162 mph.

Lamborghini Urraco, Auto Italia, Brooklands

Allegedly when James May tested one of these cars for the Top Gear TV program he was heard to tell a passer by “It’s a Lamboghini” and muttered under his breath “Philistine”.

Lamborghini Urraco, Auto Italia, Brooklands

Of the 797 Urracos built between 1973 and 1979 66 were P200s, 520 were P250s, 190 were P300s and 21 US spec P250 Type 111s.

Thanks for joining me on this “It’s a Lamborghini Philistine” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres”, I hope you will join me again tomorrow when I’ll be a successful Special built and raced in Zambia. Don’t forget to come back now ! Wishing all GALPOT readers and contributors seasons greetings and best wishes for the new year.

Brighton Speed Trials Under Threat of Permanent Cancellation !

In their infinite wisdom, Brighton & Hove City Council are seeking to ban the Brighton Speed Trials from 2014.

If you care about speed and or motorsport history, please sign this linked petition to save Brighton Speed Trials in 2014 and beyond.

It’s a faf to Register before signing, but relatively painless compared to loosing the event which has been run with few interruptions since 1905.

You do not need to be resident in Brighton or even the UK to sign.

Thanks and please spread the word through whatever social media you have at your disposal.

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