Hour Rule: Matra Monday

"BvdV - The Dutch Engineer" (dutchengineer) 06/27/2016 at 05:17 • Filed to: None

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I want one! Maybe with a modern Peugeot engine swap, like the 1.6 THP Prince engine, I could call it the Matra-Peugeot Murena 1.6R. If only I had the space for it...

Flavien Vidal > BvdV - The Dutch Engineer 06/27/2016 at 05:31

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I did drive a 2.2 a few years ago... They are not that great really... But the 3 front facing seats is really cool :)

Jobjoris > BvdV - The Dutch Engineer 06/27/2016 at 05:34

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No need for a swap that modern, the 2.2 is quite capable (these are light cars, about 100kgs heavier than your Twingo). And way better than it’s predecessor. Which probably will be my next project if I finish the 02. And speaking of which: that one will feature next French Friday on LaLD so I’ve heard (and no: not by me!)...

And if you need space for it near Breda: just call ;-)

BvdV - The Dutch Engineer > Flavien Vidal 06/27/2016 at 05:47

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I mainly like them for their overall quirkyness, so it doesn’t really matter that they’ve got their flaws. An indeed the 3 abreast seating is amazing.

BvdV - The Dutch Engineer > Jobjoris 06/27/2016 at 06:07

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Yeah, but imagine one of these with around 200 hp(because the 270 hp of the RCZ R would be madness) that could be a great I guess, though I have no idea if the chassis would be up to this much power.

Did I read that correctly, are you going to get a Bagheera after the 02 is finished? Don’t those have the tendency to turn themselves into a pile of rust?

If you aren’t featuring that Friday, I know only one other person who would, the inventor of the Maudi Quacho, TFritch!

It’s a pity Breda is a bit too far away to just go and wrench for a couple of hours, I like my cars as close as possible, but thanks for the offer. Maybe I can convince my uncle to lend me a part of his ‘loods’, I’m sure he has some space to spare. Though maybe a Matra is not the best first project car...

Nauraushaun > BvdV - The Dutch Engineer 06/27/2016 at 06:41

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I barely knew these existed, thank you for posting it

Jobjoris > BvdV - The Dutch Engineer 06/27/2016 at 06:46

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I don’t know either, they tried a U8 engine in the Bagheera but that one had a completely different (lengthened) chassis anyway. But yes: A Bagheera is on the shortlist. Definitely. And their chassises rust like hell indeed, there used to be a Belgium company that made completely new ones, not sure if they still exist.

I already did a piece on the Bagheera . And you’re right: It’s TFritch. But it’s a “tweeluik” as I’m doing it’s predecessor!

I don’t think the Murena is that bad when it comes to mechanics, it’s mostly PSA-stuff off-the-shelf. Trim/interior-pieces are probably hard to get.

Cé hé sin > BvdV - The Dutch Engineer 06/27/2016 at 07:59

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Whatever about the Bagheera, there are plenty of Murenas for sale in NL.

BvdV - The Dutch Engineer > Cé hé sin 06/27/2016 at 08:45

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Indeed there are, though I’d rather get a fixer-upper, since most of these cost more than my daily driver did

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > BvdV - The Dutch Engineer 06/27/2016 at 14:53

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I really like these too. The 2.2s are quite good engines really, and did well turbocharged in 505s to 200+bhp (probably higher with newfangled tech like intercoolers and proper boost control...).

I always thought a 1.6 16v out of a 106 GTi would do very nicely. Light, and can be powerful enough for a light car like a Murena (or up to ~350bhp turbocharged so plenty of headroom...).

BvdV - The Dutch Engineer > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires 06/27/2016 at 15:07

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Yeah, there are some 2.2s Murenas that have been converted to turbos, probably using 505 parts.

The 106 GTi engine is a good idea too. There are just too many good ideas that would work with a Murena!

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > BvdV - The Dutch Engineer 06/27/2016 at 15:50

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Ooh, how about a PRV V6? There’s loads of developments that the various companies who used it did. Renault/Alpine had a ton of turbocharged variants and Peugeot did 24v versions...

BvdV - The Dutch Engineer > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires 06/27/2016 at 15:58

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I think that might be a tight fit, since the gas tank is also there, and from what I’ve seen the 2.2 already sits quite snuggly.

A 12a rotary swap has also been done.

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > BvdV - The Dutch Engineer 06/27/2016 at 16:13

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Ah I suppose you’d have to relocate the fuel tank to the front (with all its associated safety concerns).

A 12a would be rather nice :) I’ve always thought that the rotary just needed a light car, like the early Capellas and RX3s, to make good on its best attributes.

BvdV - The Dutch Engineer > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires 06/27/2016 at 16:31

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Yeah, and the 12a fits quite nicely too:

Maztra.nl for more on that conversion, my jaw was on the floor when I found out about that the first time.

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > BvdV - The Dutch Engineer 06/27/2016 at 16:39

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Looks OEM! I’ll definitely check out that build thread.