Matra - Revision history

Red marquis at 06:51, 20 February 2007

2007-02-20T06:51:28Z

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	</ref>, and designed originally for Chrysler production in partnership with Matra, the car became a popular success.		</ref>, and designed originally for Chrysler production in partnership with Matra, the car became a popular success.

	After the failure of the [[Renault Avantime]] (designed and built by Matra), on February 27, 2003 Matra announced its intention to close its automobile factory in [[Romorantin~~-Lanthenay\|Romorantin]]~~. In September 2003, [[Pininfarina\|Pininfarina SpA]] acquired Matra Automobile's engineering, testing and prototype businesses. The company was subsequently named [http://www.matra-automobile.com/en/ Matra Automobile Engineering]		After the failure of the [[Renault Avantime]] (designed and built by Matra), on February 27, 2003 Matra announced its intention to close its automobile factory in Romorantin. In September 2003, [[Pininfarina\|Pininfarina SpA]] acquired Matra Automobile's engineering, testing and prototype businesses. The company was subsequently named [http://www.matra-automobile.com/en/ Matra Automobile Engineering]

	===Street models===		===Street models===

Red marquis at 06:50, 20 February 2007

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	{{List of {{PAGENAME}} Models}}'''Mécanique Avion TRAction''' or '''Matra''' was a French company covering a wide range of activities mainly related to aeronautics and weaponry which from 1994 was a subsidiary of '''Lagardère Group''' and which now operates under that name.		{{List of {{PAGENAME}} Models}}
			'''Mécanique Avion TRAction''' or '''Matra''' was a French company covering a wide range of activities mainly related to aeronautics and weaponry which from 1994 was a subsidiary of '''Lagardère Group''' and which now operates under that name.

	Matra was owned by the Floirat family. The name Matra became famous in the 1960s when it went into car production by buying [[Automobiles René Bonnet]]. Matra Automobiles produced racing cars and sports cars, and was very successful in racing.		Matra was owned by the Floirat family. The name Matra became famous in the 1960s when it went into car production by buying [[Automobiles René Bonnet]]. Matra Automobiles produced racing cars and sports cars, and was very successful in racing.

Red marquis at 05:44, 19 February 2007

2007-02-19T05:44:35Z

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	'''Mécanique Avion TRAction''' or '''Matra''' was a French company covering a wide range of activities mainly related to aeronautics and weaponry which from 1994 was a subsidiary of '''Lagardère Group''' and which now operates under that name.		{{List of {{PAGENAME}} Models}}'''Mécanique Avion TRAction''' or '''Matra''' was a French company covering a wide range of activities mainly related to aeronautics and weaponry which from 1994 was a subsidiary of '''Lagardère Group''' and which now operates under that name.

	Matra was owned by the Floirat family. The name Matra became famous in the 1960s when it went into car production by buying [[Automobiles René Bonnet]]. Matra Automobiles produced racing cars and sports cars, and was very successful in racing.		Matra was owned by the Floirat family. The name Matra became famous in the 1960s when it went into car production by buying [[Automobiles René Bonnet]]. Matra Automobiles produced racing cars and sports cars, and was very successful in racing.

Red marquis: /* External links */

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External links

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	{{end box}}		{{end box}}

	~~----~~

	~~'''[[Matra, Haute-Corse\|Matra]]''' is also the name of a [[commune in France\|commune]] of the [[Haute-Corse]] ''[[département]]'' in [[France]], on the island of [[Corsica]].~~

	[[Category:Makes]]		[[Category:Makes]]

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F1 Drivers

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	The firm was also successful in endurance racing with cars powered by the [[V12]] engine. The [[Matra 670]] won [[le Mans]] in 1972, 1973, and 1974.		The firm was also successful in endurance racing with cars powered by the [[V12]] engine. The [[Matra 670]] won [[le Mans]] in 1972, 1973, and 1974.
	===F1 Drivers===		===F1 Drivers===
	* [[Jackie Stewart]] ([[1968]]-[[1969]]): 25 GP, 11 victories, world champion 1969		* [[Jackie Stewart]] (1968-1969): 25 GP, 11 victories, world champion 1969
	* [[Jean-Pierre Beltoise]] ([[1967]]-[[1971]]): 47 GP		* [[Jean-Pierre Beltoise]] (1967-1971): 47 GP
	* [[Chris Amon]] ([[1971]]-[[1972]]): 23 GP		* [[Chris Amon]] (1971-1972): 23 GP
	* [[Henri Pescarolo]] ([[1968]], [[1970]]): 15 GP		* [[Henri Pescarolo]] (1968, 1970): 15 GP

	==External links==		==External links==

Red marquis at 06:46, 12 February 2007

2007-02-12T06:46:46Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:46, 12 February 2007
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	'''Mécanique Avion TRAction''' or '''Matra''' was a ~~[[France\|~~French]] company covering a wide range of activities mainly related to [[aeronautics]] and weaponry which from 1994 was a subsidiary of '''[[Lagardère Group]]''' and which now operates under that name.		'''Mécanique Avion TRAction''' or '''Matra''' was a French company covering a wide range of activities mainly related to aeronautics and weaponry which from 1994 was a subsidiary of '''Lagardère Group''' and which now operates under that name.

	Matra was owned by the Floirat family. The name Matra became famous in the [[1960s]] when it went into car production by buying [[Automobiles René Bonnet]]. Matra Automobiles produced racing cars and sports cars, and was very successful in racing.		Matra was owned by the Floirat family. The name Matra became famous in the 1960s when it went into car production by buying [[Automobiles René Bonnet]]. Matra Automobiles produced racing cars and sports cars, and was very successful in racing.

	==Lagardère involvement==		==Lagardère involvement==
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	In 1992 Lagardère was radically restructured; acquiring more shares in Matra from Floirat, Daimler Benz and GEC, and Hachette from loirat, Crédit Lyonnais and Aberly. Lagardère merged Matra and Hachette to form Matra Hachette, of which Lagardère held 37.6%. Following a share swap in 1994 Lagardère held 93.3% of Matra Hachette’s stock. In 1996 Matra Hachette was formally merged into Lagardère.		In 1992 Lagardère was radically restructured; acquiring more shares in Matra from Floirat, Daimler Benz and GEC, and Hachette from loirat, Crédit Lyonnais and Aberly. Lagardère merged Matra and Hachette to form Matra Hachette, of which Lagardère held 37.6%. Following a share swap in 1994 Lagardère held 93.3% of Matra Hachette’s stock. In 1996 Matra Hachette was formally merged into Lagardère.

	~~==Matra Hautes Technologies==~~
	Matra Hautes Technologies (Matra High Technology) or MHT was the defence arm of Matra. The company was involved in [[aerospace]], defence and telecommunications. In February 1999 Matra Hautes Technologies merged with [[Aérospatiale]] to form [[Aérospatiale-Matra]]. On [[July 10]] [[2000]] Aérospatiale-Matra became part of [[EADS]].

	==Matra road cars==		==Matra road cars==
	The Matra name was first used for road cars with the [[Renault]]-powered Matra Djet (pronounced "Jet"), which was an update of the Bonnet Jet.		The Matra name was first used for road cars with the [[Renault]]-powered Matra Djet (pronounced "Jet"), which was an update of the Bonnet Jet.

	The Djet was replaced with the Matra 530, which was powered by a [[Ford Taunus V4 engine]]. Matra also developed a close partnership with [[Simca]] in the ~~[[1970]]s~~, producing Simca-engined sports cars such as the [[Matra Bagheera\|Bagheera]], the [[Matra Murena\|Murena]] and the [[Matra Rancho\|Rancho]], an early type of [[SUV]] - albeit that it was two-wheel-drive - which was based on the [[Simca 1100]] pick-up bodyshell. This car remained in production into the '80s, after Simca's takeover by [[Peugeot]].		The Djet was replaced with the Matra 530, which was powered by a [[Ford Taunus V4 engine]]. Matra also developed a close partnership with [[Simca]] in the 1970s, producing Simca-engined sports cars such as the [[Matra Bagheera\|Bagheera]], the [[Matra Murena\|Murena]] and the [[Matra Rancho\|Rancho]], an early type of [[SUV]] - albeit that it was two-wheel-drive - which was based on the [[Simca 1100]] pick-up bodyshell. This car remained in production into the '80s, after Simca's takeover by [[Peugeot]].

	In [[1984]] [[Renault]] launched the Matra built [[Renault Espace\|Espace]] [[minivan]], a car conceived at [[Rootes\|Chrysler UK]]<ref name="lewin">{{cite book		In 1984 [[Renault]] launched the Matra built [[Renault Espace\|Espace]] minivan, a car conceived at [[Rootes\|Chrysler UK]]<ref name="lewin">{{cite book
	\| author=Lewin, Tony		\| author=Lewin, Tony
	\| title=How to Design Cars Like a Pro: A Complete Guide to Car Design from the Top Professionals		\| title=How to Design Cars Like a Pro: A Complete Guide to Car Design from the Top Professionals
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	</ref>, and designed originally for Chrysler production in partnership with Matra, the car became a popular success.		</ref>, and designed originally for Chrysler production in partnership with Matra, the car became a popular success.

	After the failure of the [[Renault Avantime]] (designed and built by Matra), on February 27, 2003 Matra announced its intention to close its automobile factory in [[Romorantin-Lanthenay\|Romorantin]]. In September 2003, [[Pininfarina SpA]] acquired Matra Automobile's engineering, testing and prototype businesses. The company was subsequently named [http://www.matra-automobile.com/en/ Matra Automobile Engineering]		After the failure of the [[Renault Avantime]] (designed and built by Matra), on February 27, 2003 Matra announced its intention to close its automobile factory in [[Romorantin-Lanthenay\|Romorantin]]. In September 2003, [[Pininfarina\|Pininfarina SpA]] acquired Matra Automobile's engineering, testing and prototype businesses. The company was subsequently named [http://www.matra-automobile.com/en/ Matra Automobile Engineering]

	===Street models===		===Street models===
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	In the mid-1960's Matra enjoyed considerable success in Formula 3 and F2 racing with (especially) its MS5 monocoque-based car, winning the French and European championships. In 1967, [[Jacky Ickx]] famously amazed the F1 establishment by clocking in the 3rd-fastest qualifying time of 8:14" on the German [[Nürburgring]] in his 1600 cc MS5 F2, which was allowed to enter alongside the 3000 cc F1 cars. In the race, he failed to finish due to a broken suspension.		In the mid-1960's Matra enjoyed considerable success in Formula 3 and F2 racing with (especially) its MS5 monocoque-based car, winning the French and European championships. In 1967, [[Jacky Ickx]] famously amazed the F1 establishment by clocking in the 3rd-fastest qualifying time of 8:14" on the German [[Nürburgring]] in his 1600 cc MS5 F2, which was allowed to enter alongside the 3000 cc F1 cars. In the race, he failed to finish due to a broken suspension.

	Matra entered [[Formula One]] in [[1968]] when [[Jackie Stewart]] was a serious contender, winning several Grands Prix in the [[Tyrrell Racing\|Tyrrell]]-run Matra MS10 which competed alonside the works team. The car's most innovative feature was the use of aviation-inspired structural fuel tanks. These allowed the chassis to be around 15 kg lighter, while still being stronger than its competitors. The FIA considered the technology to be unsafe and decided to ban it for 1970.		Matra entered [[Formula One]] in 1968 when [[Jackie Stewart]] was a serious contender, winning several Grands Prix in the [[Tyrrell Racing\|Tyrrell]]-run Matra MS10 which competed alonside the works team. The car's most innovative feature was the use of aviation-inspired structural fuel tanks. These allowed the chassis to be around 15 kg lighter, while still being stronger than its competitors. The FIA considered the technology to be unsafe and decided to ban it for 1970.
	~~[[Image:StewartJackie19690801MatraFord.jpg\|thumb\|300px\|Jackie Stewart in 1969 with Matra-Ford at the Nürburgring]]~~
	Matra CEO Jean-Luc Lagardère made a radical strategic decision for the 1969 championship: The Matra works team would not compete in Formula One. Matra would instead focus its efforts on the Tyrrell team (renamed Matra International) and build a new [[Cosworth DFV\|DFV]] powered car with structural fuel tanks, even though it would only be eligible for a single season. The decision was even more radical given that Matra was seeking a partnership with [[Simca]], then a subsidiary of the American company [[Chrysler]], which would preclude using Ford-branded engines for the following year. Stewart won the 1969 title easily with the new Cosworth-powered [[Matra MS80]], which corrected most of the weaknesses of the MS10. Stewart's title was the first won by a French chassis, and the only one won by a chassis built in France. It was a spectacular achievement from a constructor that had only entered Formula One the previous year, but it had little impact on the French general public because the British contribution was too large to fulfil nationalistic pride.		Matra CEO Jean-Luc Lagardère made a radical strategic decision for the 1969 championship: The Matra works team would not compete in Formula One. Matra would instead focus its efforts on the Tyrrell team (renamed Matra International) and build a new [[Cosworth DFV\|DFV]] powered car with structural fuel tanks, even though it would only be eligible for a single season. The decision was even more radical given that Matra was seeking a partnership with [[Simca]], then a subsidiary of the American company [[Chrysler]], which would preclude using Ford-branded engines for the following year. Stewart won the 1969 title easily with the new Cosworth-powered [[Matra MS80]], which corrected most of the weaknesses of the MS10. Stewart's title was the first won by a French chassis, and the only one won by a chassis built in France. It was a spectacular achievement from a constructor that had only entered Formula One the previous year, but it had little impact on the French general public because the British contribution was too large to fulfil nationalistic pride.

	Matra joined [[Cosworth]], [[Team Lotus\|Lotus]] and [[McLaren]] in experimentined with four wheel drive during 1969. [[Johnny Servoz-Gavin]] became the one and only driver to score a point with a 4WD, finishing sixth with the Matra MS84 at the Canadian Grand Prix. The MS84, along with [[Brabham]]'s BT26A, was one of the last [[spaceframe]] cars to compete in Formula One.		Matra joined [[Cosworth]], [[Team Lotus\|Lotus]] and [[McLaren]] in experimentined with four wheel drive during 1969. [[Johnny Servoz-Gavin]] became the one and only driver to score a point with a 4WD, finishing sixth with the Matra MS84 at the Canadian Grand Prix. The MS84, along with [[Brabham]]'s BT26A, was one of the last spaceframe cars to compete in Formula One.

	For 1970 following the agreement with Simca, Matra asked Tyrrell to use their V12 rather than the Cosworth. Stewart tested the Matra V12 and found it inferior to the DFV. As a large part of the Tyrrell budget was provided by Ford, and another significant element came from French state-owned petroleum company Elf, which had an agreement with Renault that precluded supporting a Simca partner, the partnership between Matra and Tyrrell ended.		For 1970 following the agreement with Simca, Matra asked Tyrrell to use their V12 rather than the Cosworth. Stewart tested the Matra V12 and found it inferior to the DFV. As a large part of the Tyrrell budget was provided by Ford, and another significant element came from French state-owned petroleum company Elf, which had an agreement with Renault that precluded supporting a Simca partner, the partnership between Matra and Tyrrell ended.

Red marquis at 06:45, 12 February 2007

2007-02-12T06:45:13Z

New page

'''Mécanique Avion TRAction''' or '''Matra''' was a [[France|French]] company covering a wide range of activities mainly related to [[aeronautics]] and weaponry which from 1994 was a subsidiary of '''[[Lagardère Group]]''' and which now operates under that name.

Matra was owned by the Floirat family. The name Matra became famous in the [[1960s]] when it went into car production by buying [[Automobiles René Bonnet]]. Matra Automobiles produced racing cars and sports cars, and was very successful in racing.

==Lagardère involvement==
By merging with various companies Matra CEO [[Jean-Luc Lagardère]] built around Matra a group diversified in media, weaponry, high technologies, aeronautics and formerly in automobiles and records production and distribution. Matra was privatized in 1988, with Lagardère holding 6% of the stock and by 1992 25%.

In 1992 Lagardère was radically restructured; acquiring more shares in Matra from Floirat, Daimler Benz and GEC, and Hachette from loirat, Crédit Lyonnais and Aberly. Lagardère merged Matra and Hachette to form Matra Hachette, of which Lagardère held 37.6%. Following a share swap in 1994 Lagardère held 93.3% of Matra Hachette’s stock. In 1996 Matra Hachette was formally merged into Lagardère.

==Matra Hautes Technologies==
Matra Hautes Technologies (Matra High Technology) or MHT was the defence arm of Matra. The company was involved in [[aerospace]], defence and telecommunications. In February 1999 Matra Hautes Technologies merged with [[Aérospatiale]] to form [[Aérospatiale-Matra]]. On [[July 10]] [[2000]] Aérospatiale-Matra became part of [[EADS]].

==Matra road cars==
The Matra name was first used for road cars with the [[Renault]]-powered Matra Djet (pronounced "Jet"), which was an update of the Bonnet Jet.

The Djet was replaced with the Matra 530, which was powered by a [[Ford Taunus V4 engine]]. Matra also developed a close partnership with [[Simca]] in the [[1970]]s, producing Simca-engined sports cars such as the [[Matra Bagheera|Bagheera]], the [[Matra Murena|Murena]] and the [[Matra Rancho|Rancho]], an early type of [[SUV]] - albeit that it was two-wheel-drive - which was based on the [[Simca 1100]] pick-up bodyshell. This car remained in production into the '80s, after Simca's takeover by [[Peugeot]].

In [[1984]] [[Renault]] launched the Matra built [[Renault Espace|Espace]] [[minivan]], a car conceived at [[Rootes|Chrysler UK]]<ref name="lewin">{{cite book
| author=Lewin, Tony
| title=How to Design Cars Like a Pro: A Complete Guide to Car Design from the Top Professionals
| publisher=Motorbooks International
| year=2003
| id=ISBN 0-7603-1641-4}}
</ref>, and designed originally for Chrysler production in partnership with Matra, the car became a popular success.

After the failure of the [[Renault Avantime]] (designed and built by Matra), on February 27, 2003 Matra announced its intention to close its automobile factory in [[Romorantin-Lanthenay|Romorantin]]. In September 2003, [[Pininfarina SpA]] acquired Matra Automobile's engineering, testing and prototype businesses. The company was subsequently named [http://www.matra-automobile.com/en/ Matra Automobile Engineering]

===Street models===
*[[Matra Djet]]
*[[Matra 530]]
*[[Matra Bagheera]]
*[[Matra Murena]]
*[[Matra Rancho]] (United Kingdom: [[Talbot Matra Rancho]])
*[[Renault Espace]]
*[[Renault Avantime]]

==Matra racing history==
In the mid-1960's Matra enjoyed considerable success in Formula 3 and F2 racing with (especially) its MS5 monocoque-based car, winning the French and European championships. In 1967, [[Jacky Ickx]] famously amazed the F1 establishment by clocking in the 3rd-fastest qualifying time of 8:14" on the German [[Nürburgring]] in his 1600 cc MS5 F2, which was allowed to enter alongside the 3000 cc F1 cars. In the race, he failed to finish due to a broken suspension.

Matra entered [[Formula One]] in [[1968]] when [[Jackie Stewart]] was a serious contender, winning several Grands Prix in the [[Tyrrell Racing|Tyrrell]]-run Matra MS10 which competed alonside the works team. The car's most innovative feature was the use of aviation-inspired structural fuel tanks. These allowed the chassis to be around 15 kg lighter, while still being stronger than its competitors. The FIA considered the technology to be unsafe and decided to ban it for 1970.
[[Image:StewartJackie19690801MatraFord.jpg|thumb|300px|Jackie Stewart in 1969 with Matra-Ford at the Nürburgring]]
Matra CEO Jean-Luc Lagardère made a radical strategic decision for the 1969 championship: The Matra works team would not compete in Formula One. Matra would instead focus its efforts on the Tyrrell team (renamed Matra International) and build a new [[Cosworth DFV|DFV]] powered car with structural fuel tanks, even though it would only be eligible for a single season. The decision was even more radical given that Matra was seeking a partnership with [[Simca]], then a subsidiary of the American company [[Chrysler]], which would preclude using Ford-branded engines for the following year. Stewart won the 1969 title easily with the new Cosworth-powered [[Matra MS80]], which corrected most of the weaknesses of the MS10. Stewart's title was the first won by a French chassis, and the only one won by a chassis built in France. It was a spectacular achievement from a constructor that had only entered Formula One the previous year, but it had little impact on the French general public because the British contribution was too large to fulfil nationalistic pride.

Matra joined [[Cosworth]], [[Team Lotus|Lotus]] and [[McLaren]] in experimentined with four wheel drive during 1969. [[Johnny Servoz-Gavin]] became the one and only driver to score a point with a 4WD, finishing sixth with the Matra MS84 at the Canadian Grand Prix. The MS84, along with [[Brabham]]'s BT26A, was one of the last [[spaceframe]] cars to compete in Formula One.

For 1970 following the agreement with Simca, Matra asked Tyrrell to use their V12 rather than the Cosworth. Stewart tested the Matra V12 and found it inferior to the DFV. As a large part of the Tyrrell budget was provided by Ford, and another significant element came from French state-owned petroleum company Elf, which had an agreement with Renault that precluded supporting a Simca partner, the partnership between Matra and Tyrrell ended.

The firm was also successful in endurance racing with cars powered by the [[V12]] engine. The [[Matra 670]] won [[le Mans]] in 1972, 1973, and 1974.
===F1 Drivers===
* [[Jackie Stewart]] ([[1968]]-[[1969]]): 25 GP, 11 victories, world champion 1969
* [[Jean-Pierre Beltoise]] ([[1967]]-[[1971]]): 47 GP
* [[Chris Amon]] ([[1971]]-[[1972]]): 23 GP
* [[Henri Pescarolo]] ([[1968]], [[1970]]): 15 GP

==External links==
*http://www.matra.com/
*http://www.matrasport.dk/
*http://www.matra-automobile.com/en/
*[http://www.matrasport.dk/Cars/Espace/espace-index.html History of Renault Espace includes opinions about demise of Matra]

{{start box}}
{{succession box|title=[[List of Formula One World Constructors' Champions|Formula One Constructors' Champion]] |before=[[Team Lotus|Lotus]]|after=[[Team Lotus|Lotus]]|years=[[1969 Formula One season|1969]]}}
{{end box}}

----

'''[[Matra, Haute-Corse|Matra]]''' is also the name of a [[commune in France|commune]] of the [[Haute-Corse]] ''[[département]]'' in [[France]], on the island of [[Corsica]].

[[Category:Makes]]
[[Category:Formula One constructors]]
[[Category:Formula One entrants]]
[[Category:Motor vehicle manufacturers of France]]