Matra 530
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive |
| Founded | 1967 |
| Founder | Jean-Luc Lagardère |
| Defunct | 1973 |
| Headquarters | France |
| Products | Sports cars |
| Parent | Matra |
The Matra Sports M530 is a sports car engineered and manufactured by the French company Matra between 1967 and 1973.
Development
In 1965, Matra's CEO Jean-Luc Lagardère launched the project to create a successor to the Matra Djet, aiming to appeal to a wider audience beyond just racing aficionados—a voiture des copains (car for friends). The M530 marked Matra’s first sports car developed entirely in-house. Its name was inspired by the Matra R.530 missile, and its design was led by ex-Simca stylist Philippe Guédon, with bodywork crafted by Jacques Nochet.
Features
Although both the Djet and M530 utilized glass-reinforced plastic (GRP) for their bodies and featured mid-engine configurations, the M530 distinguished itself by employing a steel platform chassis perforated to reduce weight, rather than the Djet’s backbone chassis design. To accommodate mid-engine placement while providing 2+2 seating and luggage capacity, Matra chose compact mechanical components sourced from the Ford Mustang I prototype through Ford Germany. The powertrain consisted of a high-compression 1699 cc Ford Taunus V4 engine paired with a transaxle from the Taunus 15M TS, positioned between the rear seats and the trunk.
Notable design elements included a targa roof, concealed headlamps, and a forward-thinking aesthetic.
M530/M530 A
The Matra Sports M530 made its public debut at the 1967 Geneva Motor Show, equipped with a 70 DIN hp Ford V4 engine capable of reaching . Production commenced in April, featuring enhancements such as a chrome front bumper, a redesigned dashboard aimed at improving passenger comfort, and relocation of the ignition switch. Initial chassis were produced by Carrier in Alençon, while final assembly took place at Brissonneau et Lotz’s coachbuilding facility in Creil. Early versions incorporated an acrylic rear window that could be removed for engine access.
In 1969, engine improvements raised output to 75 CV. That year also saw Matra form an alliance with Chrysler Europe to distribute the car through Simca dealerships starting in 1970 and to collaborate on developing the M530’s successor. Production was consolidated at Matra’s factory in Romorantin. This updated iteration received the M530 A designation.
A performance review conducted by British magazine Autocar in March 1969 recorded a top speed of , acceleration from 0-60 mph in 15.6 seconds, and fuel consumption figures of . Although its performance lagged behind rivals like the Lotus Elan +2 at similar price points, fuel efficiency was on par. Priced at £2,160, it was marginally less expensive than the Lotus (£2,244) but considerably costlier than the MG MGB GT (£1,217). The Porsche 912 carried a price tag of £2,894. Critics commended the M530 for its refinement, handling characteristics, build quality, and finish despite its moderate performance metrics.
M530 LX
Presented at the 1970 Geneva Motor Show, the Matra Sports M530 LX represented a subtle redesign of the M530 A by Michelotti. Significant modifications included a new glass rear hatch supported by struts and an updated front bumper design.
M530 SX
Released in October 1971 as an economical variant priced below 20,000 francs, the Matra Sports M530 SX featured a fixed roof and replaced hidden headlamps with four fixed front lamps. Available exclusively in yellow or white, it sported black bumpers instead of the chrome ones found on the LX model.
Production numbers
Production of the M530 concluded in 1973, with a total output of 9,609 vehicles: 2,062 units of the M530, 1,669 of the M530 A, 4,731 of the M530 LX, and 1,146 of the M530 SX. There were no variants produced with right-hand drive.
Delaunay M530
At the request of Lagardère in 1968, French artist Sonia Delaunay, renowned for her Orphism style that highlights color and geometric forms, painted a pre-production M530.
Vignale M530
The Italian coachbuilder Carrozzeria Alfredo Vignale presented a custom-bodied M530 coupé designed by Virginio Vairo at the 1968 Geneva Motor Show; this vehicle was subsequently altered and repainted for display in Turin.
Michelotti Matra Laser
Designer Giovanni Michelotti crafted a unique "Laser" concept based on the M530, featuring distinctive gull-wing doors. It debuted in yellow at the 1971 Geneva Motor Show and appeared again in silver at the 1972 Montreal Auto Salon. The car was later exhibited at the Tokyo Concours d’Elegance in 2009.
Diebold M530
French designer Camille Diebold began development of a bespoke-bodied M530 in 1973, completing the project by 1975.
M530 V6
The British engineering company Weslake equipped an M530 with a Ford Cologne V6 engine, replacing the original Taunus V4, intending to compete in the Critérium des Cévennes; however, this model never participated in the race.
M540
Following Chrysler-France’s acquisition of Matra, an iteration using the M530 V6 chassis was fitted with a Simca Type 180 inline-four engine. Due to the expensive modifications required for the transaxle, this version was deemed uneconomical for production.
Technical specifications
| Model | M530 | M530A | M530 LX | M530 SX | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Production period | March 1967 to April 1969 | April 1969 to March 1970 | March 1970 to February 1973 | September 1971 to February 1973 | |
| Number produced | 2063 | 1669 | 4731 | 1146 | |
| Engine | Ford Taunus V4 Type P5S | Ford Taunus V4 Type C3 | |||
| Engine placement and layout | Rear-mid mounted, longitudinally oriented | ||||
| Cylinder configuration | 4 cylinders arranged in a 60° "V" | ||||
| Bore x Stroke | 90 mm × 66.8 mm (3.5 in × 2.6 in) | ||||
| Engine displacement | 1,699 cc (103.7 cu in) | ||||
| Carburetion | Single-barrel Solex 32 PDSIT4 carburetor | Two-barrel Solex 32 TDID carburetor | |||
| Valve train | Single cam-in-block with pushrods operating overhead valves; two valves per cylinder | ||||
| Compression ratio | 9.0:1 | ||||
| Maximum power output | 73 hp (54.4 kW) at 4800 rpm | 78 hp (58.2 kW) at 5000 rpm | |||
| Peak torque | 132 N⋅m (97.4 lb⋅ft) at 2800 rpm | ||||
| Clutch type | Dry single-plate clutch | ||||
| Drive wheels | Rear-wheel drive | ||||
| Transmission | 4-speed manual gearbox | ||||
| '\'Chassis construction\'\' | '\'Sheet steel platform chassis with perforations to reduce weight; fibreglass body panels attached\'\' | '\'Sheet steel platform chassis with perforations to reduce weight; fibreglass body panels attached\'\' | '\'Sheet steel platform chassis with perforations to reduce weight; fibreglass body panels attached\'\' | '\'Sheet steel platform chassis with perforations to reduce weight; fibreglass body panels attached\'\' | |
| '\'Front suspension\'\' | '\'Upper and lower wishbones, coil springs, telescopic shock absorbers, anti-roll bar\'\' | '\'Upper and lower wishbones, coil springs, telescopic shock absorbers, anti-roll bar\'\' | '\'Upper and lower wishbones, coil springs, telescopic shock absorbers, anti-roll bar\'\' | '\'Upper and lower wishbones, coil springs, telescopic shock absorbers, anti-roll bar\'\' | |
| '\'Rear suspension\'\' | '\'Trailing arms with coil springs, telescopic dampers, anti-roll bar\'\' | '\'Trailing arms with coil springs, telescopic dampers, anti-roll bar\'\' | '\'Trailing arms with coil springs, telescopic dampers, anti-roll bar\'\' | '\'Trailing arms with coil springs, telescopic dampers, anti-roll bar\'\' | |
| '\'Brakes\'\' | '\'Dual hydraulic circuits; disc brakes on all four wheels\'\' | '\'Dual hydraulic circuits; disc brakes on all four wheels\'\' | '\'Dual hydraulic circuits; disc brakes on all four wheels\'\' | '\'Dual hydraulic circuits; disc brakes on all four wheels\'\' | |
| '\'Curb weight\'\' | '\'860 kg (1,900 lb) \ | '\'860 kg (1,900 lb) \ | '\'860 kg (1,900 lb) \ | '\'860 kg (1,900 lb) \ | |
| '\'Fuel tank capacity\'\' | '45 L (12 gal)' | '45 L (12 gal)' | '45 L (12 gal)' | '45 L (12 gal)' | |
| '\'Top speed\'\' | '170 kph (106 mph)' | '170 kph (106 mph)' | '170 kph (106 mph)' | '170 kph (106 mph)' | |
| '\'Fuel consumption (average)\'\' | '11.1 l/100 km (21 mpg)' | '11.1 l/100 km (21 mpg)' | '11.1 l/100 km (21 mpg)' | '11.1 l/100 km (21 mpg)' | |