- Auctions
- The Classic Sale at the Practical Classics Classic Car and Restoration Show 2025
- 1981 Talbot-Matra Murena 2.2
1981 Talbot-Matra Murena 2.2
1981 Talbot-Matra Murena 2.2
A fine example of this rare French three-seat coupé that's benefitted from much recent investment by its long term enthusiast owner.
- ESTIMATE: £8,000 - £10,000
+ buyer's premium of 12.5% plus VAT (15% incl VAT)
You can choose to bid in the room, by phone, online or via commission.
LIVE AUCTION: This lot will be auctioned on Saturday 22nd March, 2025 at 11.00am GMT at NEC, Birmingham, B40 1NT
-
BODY COLOUR
Blanc Neve -
DRIVE
LHD -
REG NUMBER
OJR 702X -
ODOMETER READING
245713 KM
SUMMARY
A fine example of this rare French three-seat coupé that's benefitted from much recent investment by its long term enthusiast owner.
DESCRIPTION
- The Matra Murena (Project M551) was a mid-engined, rear-wheel drive hatchback built from 1980 through 1983 by the French engineering group, Matra and featured only 12 body panels and one of the lowest drag coefficients at the time at just 0.32 - pretty slippery
- Described in period as being a 'practical sports car with a distinctive style, three-across seating and intelligent use of space'
- Powered by a 2.2-litre, SOHC, four-cylinder. Offering 120bhp mated to a 5-speed gearbox
- First registered in the UK on 26/01/1984, from 13 years enthusiast ownership and 245,713km indicated
- In 2019 the bodywork was stripped and rebuilt by TVR fibreglass specialists, Surface and Design of Blackpool, at a cost of over £6,500
- Following the rebuild, a full leather interior ($2,000) and over $750 of trim parts were sourced from German Matra Specialist, Simon Auto and professionally fitted
- Lots more history in our Condition Report
SPECIFICATION
- Make
- TALBOT MATRA
- Model
- MURENA 2.2
- Registration Number
- OJR 702X
- MOT Expiry
- Exempt
- Chassis Number
- CX656191
- Engine Number
- 656191
- Transmission
- Manual
- Body Colour
- Blanc Neve
GALLERY
CONSIGNOR
Richard Greenhalgh
- Car Specialist
- 07948 152921
- richard@iconicauctioneers.com
For further information regarding this lot please contact Richard.
CONTACTSCORE:
93 / 135
Exterior
Bodywork:
Glass:
Paint:
Chrome:
Trim:
Remarks
The Matra Murena 2.2 is a three seat fibreglass sports care on a fully galvanised chassis, weighing in at just under a ton, it currently puts out over 120 Bhp. Body Rebuild: In 2019 the decision was taken to have the bodywork stripped and rebuilt by TVR fibreglass specialists Surface and Design of Blackpool. They commenced this work in late 2019, finished in early 2020, with a full strip and rebuild costing over £6500. There is a 1 inch crack on the drivers door.
Interior
Door-Cards:
Carpets:
Seating:
Headlining:
Dashboard:
Boot:
Remarks
Lefthand drive only, the passenger side features fixed seats with an adjustable foot rest while the centre seat-back can fold down for two. The curving centre dash provides ample storage. With similar dimensions as a Lotus Esprit, Matra managed to fit three in and the mid- engine layout gives a boot large enough to take plenty of cases or a tent. Over 750 Euro of trim parts were sourced from German Matra Specialist, Simon Auto and fitted at this time. Following the rebuild they also supplied a full leather interior for the Murena at a cost of 2000 Euro which nicely set off the white paintwork and completed the renovation. In 2021 to get her back on the road after lockdown, a new heater valve was fitted and rear boot lights protectors were obtained. Additional soundproofing was added to the boot.
Engine
Components:
Appearance:
Starting:
Running:
Remarks
2016 Speedo cable replaced and dash upgraded with LED bulb in the dash, Cam cover bead blasted and powder coated to finish off the engine bay.
Transmission
Gears:
Clutch:
Drive-Shaft:
Running Gear
Axles:
Chassis:
Suspension:
Bearings:
Brakes:
Wheels & Tyres:
Remarks
Clutch master cylinder removed, stripped and refurbished. Brakes refurbed at big red. Rolling road in 2019, clutch slave cylinder fitted. Now giving 124.5 bhp and 147lb ft at 2999rpm. Rolling road in 2014 gave 120bhp at the flywheel and 139lb ft torque at 3600rpm.
Electrics
Minor:
Major:
Vehicle History
Remarks
Owned by the current owner since 2012 and used regularly across the UK and Europe on Matra Simca events the car has comfortably transported us across France, Belgium and Holland to events and holidays. I bought the car at the end of 2012 and worked on it over the winter. To get the car back on the road in 2013, the car had a through rebuild at home, stripping out lots of wiring and removing any electrical issues that had developed since it had been garaged from 2002 on. As the storage was dry there was no damp or rust that normally affects classic cars. Much of the work over the first few months focuses on cleaning and checking items to see if they could be made serviceable and fixed, before compiling a list of the rubber and perished items to replace. In the first winter we stripped and rebuilt all the brakes, fitting new tyres on refinished wheels. Electrics motors in the doors were serviced and rebuilt. The engine was recommissioned with new plugs, oil, filters, fuel hose, fuel filters and all usual service items. After this the exhaust manifold was stripped welded and rebuilt. A new distributor and rotor arm were fitted, the Weber carb was stripped, serviced and rebuilt as was the cooling system. The entire front of the car was dismantled with rewiring taking place to ensure excellent grounding and working lights all-round with the vacuum hoses replaced and the unit tested to give reliable lamp lifting. Next year the Front hubs were dismantled with perished rubber fittings replace, new track rod ends and wheel bearings. The front of the car effectively was full rebuil.t New radiator stone shield fitted and upgraded wiper arms and blades fitted to allow regular use. To further provide comfort during use the fan motor was replaced with a new unit and all thermostats’ switches and motor controls were replaced with new items. Lastly a new battery provided reliable [power to get the Murena back on the road in 2013. Further recommissioning continued in 2014 as the Murena was driven across the UK and to the international Matra event at Beaulieu. A replacement steering wheel was sourced to replace the perished rubber item that had degraded badly over they years but a gear lever could not find at this time. However, the circuit board was replaced with a new upgraded item. I the interior was stripped and cleaned and air hoses were tape sealed to improve air flow into the cabin on long journeys. A new windscreen was fitted, along with rear view mirror to lift the inside and the door seals and carpet was replaced for the first time. After driving across country for a few trips we decided to replace both front wheel bearings, bushes and track rod ends. To ensure the best safety, new seatbelts were measured and fitted. In 2014 it was tuned on a rolling road for the first time and successfully passed the MO Tuned on rolling road. Rolling road in 2014 gave 120bhp at the flywheel and 139lb ft torque at 3600rpm max. In 2015 the front suspension and tracking was fully aligned. Most importantly the car has been fitted with full stainless steel coolant pipes which run the length of the car underneath to prevent corrosion. The car has been used regularly on club event in the UK and Europe and has never suffered from any issues. My article – brief writeup published on club website at the time. Purchased by us in October 2012, it was rescued having spent the last 10 years in a shed in Littlehampton. Over the winter essential work has taken place to get the car roadworthy again and through an MOT. Owned back in the late 1980’s by a Member of the Matra Enthusiasts Club, it had various modifications made including the fitting of a higher performance Holbay Tornado Cam and the replacement of the worn-out Solex carburettor with the Weber now fitted. Since then, though, pervious owners had stripped off the original exhaust and air filter system, fitting a twin pip Devil exhaust and K&N air filter. Both of these were stripped off with the K&N filter being scrapped. A complete, original air filter system was found and re-installed. The sub-standard exhaust manifold was rebuilt by Macclesfield firm J.P. Exhausts who made an excellent job of strengthening the top of the manifold. Naturally after 10 years much of the hoses were perished as were the tyres. Winter saw new fuel and air hoses installed, the wheels blasted and repainted and fitted with specially sourced Vredestein tyres. The braking system was completely stripped, overhauled and refitted with new pads and better brake hose. The engine, looking quite sound has simply had a full service so far, although the carburettor has been re-jetted. New plugs, leads, oil, and ignition system have been installed. The coolant system was overhauled and the old thermostat was found to have failed, so a new one was installed and carefully tested to prevent overheating of the light alloy head. Finally a lot of work has been done on the fragile electrics to make the car road-worthy. Ironically one of the downsides of a full galvanised body was a tendency to have poor earths leading to quite a few electrical problems. These have (nearly) been resolved with the lights and heating system having a full overhaul. Both headlamp pods were completely stripped, reinforced and rebuilt. The worn out blower fan was replaced and the thermostatic control switch renewed. With all this work done in the past few months we can now enjoy the car over the summer and trouble shoot other problems as they arise. As few major jobs remain, such as replacing the old steel coolant pipes, which run the length of the car, with new stainless steel.
About the Seller Rating
A lot's rating is compiled based on information provided by the seller of the lot. We strongly recommend viewing a lot prior to bidding as we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information provided by the seller. We will not entertain any disputes over seller rating details.
Poor Numerous faults / Extensive damage / Many missing parts / Project or donor car
Fair Basic condition / Requires attention mechanically & cosmetically / Some damage / Some missing parts
Good Everyday useable classic car / Driven & enjoyed / Commensurate with age & mileage / Drives and looks as it should / Some vehicle history
Very good Almost pristine / Mechanically & cosmetically sound / Driven only occasionally / Extensive vehicle history
Excellent Pristine / Original / Documented nut & bolt ground-up restoration / Stored professionally / Trailered only / Complete vehicle history
Please note all lots must be removed from the venue no later than 2pm on Monday 24th March. Collections will be from 9am - 2pm. If you cannot collect yourself, please do get in touch with our transport partner, EM Rogers, who will be happy to help you.
Uplift by EM Rogers back to their storage facility in Northampton is £175 plus VAT. Storage is £10 plus VAT per day for the first seven days and £40 plus VAT per week thereafter.
For larger vehicles such as vans, transporters etc. please contact EM Rogers on +44 (0)1604 755511 for a quote.
If you cannot collect, or do not let us know transport arrangements before noon on 24th February, we will send the car to EM Rogers on your behalf.
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