Matra Bagheera history, design and competition
The Matra Bagheera is a sports car model produced by the French company Matra between 1973 and 1980. It was designed by Antonis Volanis, who had designed the Citroën DS and was later responsible for the design of the Renault Espace. Throughout its production run, the Matra Bagheera became one of the most popular cars of the 1970s with fans all over the world.
History of the Matra Bagheera
The story of the Matra Bagheera began in 1973, when Matra presented the concept at the Paris Motor Show. The car was designed to compete in the three-seater sports car market and was very well received by the public and critics. Production began in 1974 and remained in production until 1980.
Design of the Matra Bagheera
The design of the Matra Bagheera is one of the most iconic of the 1970s with one of its distinguishing features being the seating arrangement, which is arranged in a three-seat configuration: two seats in the front and one in the middle slightly set back from the front seats. The car has a fibreglass bodywork that extends from the bonnet to the rear.
In terms of powertrain, the Bagherera is powered by a 1.3-litre four-cylinder rear engine producing 84 horsepower. This engine is mated to a five-speed manual transmission and is capable of a top speed of 185 km/h (185 mph).
Matra Bagheera’s competence
The Matra Bagheera competed directly with other European sports cars of the time, such as the Porsche 914 and Fiat X1/9. Despite the competition, the Bagheera stood out for its unique design and three-seat seating arrangement, making it a popular choice for those looking for a sports car with a difference.
Buy a Matra Bagheera
If you are interested in buying a Matra Baghera, you should know that it is currently considered a classic car, so its price can vary considerably depending on its condition and the market in which it is found, with prices ranging from €12,000 to €20,000, depending on factors such as the year of manufacture, the general condition of the vehicle and the mileage covered. As a rare model, it can be difficult to find a Matra Baghera on the second-hand market, so it is important to be patient and search on various specialist portals or at classic car shows.
