Talbot-Matra Murena 1.6
A mid-engined French wedge with three seats in one row and a steel chassis dipped whole into zinc before its fiberglass body was attached.
Talbot Matra Murena 1.6.jpg · Uberprutser · CC BY-SA 3.0
Research pending
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More than a set of wheels.
Matra unveiled the Murena in September 1980 as the successor to the Bagheera. Antonis Volanis kept the unusual three-across seating and mid-engine layout, but the new car was engineered for better quality and corrosion protection. The launch 1.6 used a Simca-derived four-cylinder and a five-speed gearbox. Its fully hot-dip-galvanized steel chassis sat beneath bonded and riveted composite body panels, answering the serious rust problems that had hurt earlier Matras.
Look a little closer.
All three passengers sit side by side—the middle seat is slightly forward so three shoulders fit more comfortably.
Photos show an example of the model or generation. The pictured vehicle’s year, equipment, or modifications can differ from the specification described here.
A zinc bath instead of a rust-prone frame
Matra did not merely use a few zinc-coated panels. The completed steel chassis was fully immersed in molten zinc before the composite outer body was bonded and riveted on. A six-year rust-through warranty backed the process, and the treatment also increased the chassis's measured torsional stiffness.
Source: Lane Motor Museum · 1983 Matra Murena ↗The three-seat idea survived the redesign
Designer Antonis Volanis retained the Bagheera's most distinctive cabin feature: one row of three seats. The Murena wrapped that layout in a cleaner wedge-shaped body with only twelve principal panels and a quoted drag coefficient of 0.32, while a rear hatch gave direct access to luggage above and behind the mid-mounted engine.
Source: Lane Motor Museum · 1983 Matra Murena ↗Where these facts come from
- Lane Motor Museum · Matra Murena engineering history
- Matra Enthusiasts' Club UK · Murena history
- Matra FAQ · chassis, production and construction
- Automobile-Catalog · 1980 Murena 1.6
Selected facts checked for this edition. Some source pages link to broader model families. Last reviewed 2026-10-03.