Unique and rare of French-made Matra M530

Weird ONES France has always been known as one of the pioneering countries of the automotive industry since from the mid-20th century. And the country consistently remains the third largest automaker in the world. This great nation is the home of well-known brands like Citroen, Peugeot, Renault, and some other great brands like Bugatti.

1967 Matra Sports M530A is built on a steel frame with a polyester body and also features a center machined layout and designed by the former Simca designer named Philippe Guédon. (Picture from: Otoblitz)

And this is one of the French's forgotten car manufacturers, namely Matra. In the 1960s this French manufacturer had success with the Matra Djet and the following car called the Matra 530 (or M530) is intended as its successor. It was a sports car built by the French's Matra engineering team, which was created for ordinary consumers who wanted a sports car, but didn't really like racing.

1967 Matra Sports M530A which was called by Jean-Luc Lagardere (CEO of Matra) in 1965 as 'voiture des copains' or  'car for friends', and intended as the successor to the Matra Djet. (Picture from: Otoblitz)

In 1965, CEO of Matra at the time, Jean-Luc Lagardere decided to develop a more adaptive sports car for non-racing consumers, which he called as 'voiture des copains' or 'car for friends', and intended as the successor to the Matra Djet. And as the result is the Matra M530 designed by the former Simca designer named Philippe Guédon.

1970 Matra Sports M530LX has received a Michelotti's special touches with targa roof. (Picture from: Otoblitz)

Like its predecessors, the M530 is built on a steel frame with a polyester body and also features a center machined layout. However, to accommodate the new 2 + 2 configuration, and the most adequate engine and boot layouts, various machine options were then tried.

In the end, a 1,699 cc V4 high compression engine from the Ford Taunus was used, which was mated to the Ford Taunus 15M TS' 4-speed manual gearbox. This combination turns out to be quite compact and fits snugly between the rear seat and the boot, and while from the engine it can make the car to a top speed of 109 mph or 175 kph.

1970 Matra Sports M530LX has the slightly redesigned dashboard to give more knee space, and repositioning the ignition key. (Picture from: Otoblitz)

The first Matra 530 model (labeled Matra Sports M530A) was introduced to the public on March 7, 1967 at the 1967 Geneva Motor Show. And after a month in production, then the Matra 530 added minor modifications including gives a chrome layer on the bumper, the dashboard a slightly redesigned to give more knee space, and repositioning the ignition key to facilitate access into the production process.

1970 Matra Sports M530LX body design which is said to look very avant-garde. (Picture from: Otoblitz)

The most striking features of the Matra 530 are the targa roof design, pop-up lights and others, especially the body design which is said to look very avant-garde. Even on the early Matra 530 models, the engine bay can be accessed by opening the acrylic-made rear glass.

In 1970, the Matra Sports M530LX model was introduced and appeared with a minor redesign of the Matra M530A which has received a Michelotti's special touches. The most notable change of this model is the rear (now made of the real glass that opens with a spring like the hatchback model) and the front bumper has a slightly update.

1971 Matra Sports M530SX does not have a targa roof and pop-up headlights; instead, there are four fixed headlights mounted on the front. (Picture from: Otoblitz)

A year later, in October 1971 to be precise, the French auto manufacturer introduced a low-cost version of the Matra 530 called the Matra Sports M530SX. The 530SX does not have a targa roof and pop-up headlights; instead, there are four fixed headlights mounted on the front. The only color options available are orange and white, and the model also feature a black bumper instead of a chrome bumper like the LX model.

Eventually all production of the Matra 530 model was ceased in 1973, with a total of 9,609 units of cars (consisting of 2,062 units of 530A, 4,731 units of 530LX and 1,146 units of 530SX) that had rolled out of their factory production lines in France. *** [EKA [31012021] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | ]

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