Suisse, OllonRegistration: 26.10.1966
Chassis number: 10646
The Matra Djet, a two-seater sports car, was launched in 1962. Initially developed and produced in 198 examples by French sports car builder René Bonnet, it was subsequently produced by Matra Sports, which built 1,495 examples between 1964 and 1968. The Djet was a pioneer in adopting the configuration of competition cars with a central-rear engine, notably equipped with a Renault Gordini engine.
The Matra Djet is not just a collector's car, it's a small sports car and a genuine racing car that can take you around Switzerland in rallies or on weekend drives. Innovative, atypical and captivating, it is a truly affordable collector's item given its history.
Vehicle history :
- This Matra Djet that we are offering for sale was first sold new in France to a certain Mr Bady in St-Aupre until 1996.
- It was then bought by Mr Servonnet in Sassenage, who kept it for 18 years. At that time, a complete restoration of the vehicle was undertaken by its owner. All the details of the work carried out were recorded in a handwritten sheet drawn up by the owner.
- In 2014, it was sold to a Mr Seccatore in Menton. He kept it for 3 years before selling it to the current owner for import into Switzerland.
- It was acquired by its current owner in 2017 in Menton, France. He has taken part in a number of rallies, including the famous Rétrospective d'Ollon-Villars.
The veteran appraisal is still valid until mid-October 2023. She has her FIVA Passport.
The car is fitted with GT13 wheels and large caliper brakes at the front.
Sold with the vehicle:
- The original steering wheel
- Various parts
- The old French "véhicule de collection" registration certificate with French plates.
Work carried out :
- Brake pads replaced
- Complete check of the brake system
- Brakes bled
- Oil changed
Checked
Vehicle condition :
The Matra Djet's bodywork is in generally good condition, reflecting meticulous maintenance since its restoration over 20 years ago. It has been carefully preserved over time. The seals are in good condition, with no signs of drying out. The chrome parts still retain their original shine, adding a touch of brilliance to the whole. The exterior paintwork remains remarkably beautiful, although a few small bubbles can be seen on the front bonnet. Slight traces of rust are visible at the base of one of the windscreen wipers. The wheels could do with a cosmetic refresh to bring them back to their original glory, but there are no major signs of wear.
Moving on to the interior, the seat leathers show some signs of normal wear, including slight micro-tears. However, given their age, they are in generally good condition. There are no major defects on the dashboard or floorboards.
Mechanically, this Matra Djet has been meticulously maintained, with all services regularly carried out. There are no leaks or particular problems with the engine, and it runs reliably and efficiently. No work is required.
On examination of the underside of the vehicle, there are no major signs of rust, indicating a chassis in very good condition. The vehicle as a whole is in excellent condition.
A small 4-speed sports car not to be missed if you're looking for a charming but powerful collector's car!
You can visit and test drive the vehicle by making an appointment by calling us directly.
This information is provided by the seller and we cannot guarantee its accuracy.
History of the model
The history of the Matra Djet goes back to its origins with René Bonnet, a French carmaker with a passion for sports cars. Building on his experience and collaboration with Charles Deutsch in the creation of DB cars, René Bonnet decided to embark on a bold new project in the 1960s.
With the aim of designing a small, light, simple, high-performance sports car, René Bonnet developed the Djet. This vehicle featured an innovative concept for its time: a Renault Gordini engine placed in a central rear position in a fibreglass body. The Djet was the first road car with a mid-engined rear axle in history.
The Djet began life under different names, with successive evolutions of its name. It was first known as the René-Bonnet Djet, then became the Matra-Bonnet Djet before finally taking the name Matra-Sports Djet. Despite these name changes, the Djet remained faithful to its initial concept from 1962 to 1967.
The Djet adventure took a new turn when Matra bought René Bonnet at the end of 1964. This acquisition marked a decisive turning point in the car's history. Matra, keen to diversify its activities and carve out a place for itself in the automotive world, saw the Djet as an opportunity to be seized.
Under the leadership of Jean-Luc Lagardère, Matra decided to get involved in motor sport to reap the benefits in terms of image. The Djet thus became a key project in this development strategy. Matra took up the torch and continued production of the Djet, retaining the car's characteristic fibreglass bodywork.
René Bonnet's involvement in endurance racing with the Djet and its modified version, the Aérodjet, had met with mixed results. Matra decided to start afresh by launching its own sports programme, wiping the slate clean. This decision marked the start of a new era for the Djet and for Matra.
The Matra Djet continued to evolve under the Matra-Bonnet brand, with the introduction of the Djet V and Djet VS models. Claude and René Bonnet made improvements to the car, with the help of Matra's Philippe Guédon. Slight modifications were made to the bodywork to improve aerodynamics and cooling. The first examples were fitted with a tubular chassis integrated into the polyester bodywork, but a central beam chassis was later used to facilitate series production.
In 1964, Matra definitively took over production of the Djet and continued to produce the fibreglass bodies. The Djet V and Djet VS models carried the Matra-Bonnet logo and were offered with two different Renault engines, offering different performance levels.
On 13 January 1983, René Bonnet was killed in a car accident.
The Matra Djet was used in France by the Brigade Rapide d'Intervention (BRI) for its exceptional performance and manoeuvrability, before the famous Alpine.
We can be reached by email [email protected] or by phone +41 79 516 03 44.