Matra Bagheera S
The Matra Bagheera was one of the most unusual sports cars ever produced. Built by the French aerospace and defense company Matra (who also ran a successful Formula 1 team), the Bagheera was a mid-engine coupe with one extraordinary feature: three-abreast seating. The driver and two passengers sat side by side on a single bench seat — the only production car ever to offer this layout. The Bagheera used Simca (later Chrysler Europe) 1.3 and 1.4-litre engines mounted transversely behind the cockpit, driving the rear wheels. The fiberglass body sat on a steel backbone chassis, keeping weight low. While the engines were modest in output, the Bagheera's light weight and mid-engine balance gave it entertaining handling. The 'S' version used a 1,442cc engine with 90 hp — enough for an honest 115 mph. Designer Philippe Guedon created a wedge-shaped body typical of the era but distinctively French in its details. Matra built nearly 48,000 Bagheeras, making it surprisingly successful for such an unconventional car. The successor, the Matra Murena, continued the three-seat concept. Both cars represent a fascinating chapter in French automotive history, when aerospace companies turned their engineering skills to sports cars.
Fiberglass body doesn't rust but the steel backbone chassis does. Check chassis carefully. Simca/Chrysler engine parts becoming scarce. Three-abreast seating is the conversation piece. Limited specialist support outside France. Later S model preferred for performance.
47,802 built from 1973-1980. Used Simca/Chrysler 1.3 and 1.4 engines. Fiberglass body on steel chassis. Succeeded by Matra Murena (1980-83). Three-abreast seating unique feature.