1983 Matra Murena 2.2 – Barn Find | 20 Years in Storage | Running Engine | Rouge Mephisto

1983 Matra Murena 2.2 – Barn Find | 20 Years in Storage | Running Engine | Rouge Mephisto | €5,995

This 1983 Matra Murena 2.2 in Rouge Mephisto is a genuine barn find – a car that has been sitting untouched for twenty years and has now been rediscovered. For the right enthusiast, this is exactly the kind of find that rarely comes along: a solid foundation for a full restoration, with more going for it than most project cars at this price point. The engine starts and runs, a test drive is possible by appointment, and the overall structure gives every reason for optimism.

Found After Twenty Years – A Solid Starting Point

The car has been off the road for approximately twenty years. In that time, nature has taken its course in places – but far less so than you might expect. Beyond the doors and one small area on the roof, there is remarkably little to be concerned about – a testament to Matra’s galvanised steel chassis and glass-fibre body construction, which gives the Murena a structural advantage over virtually any steel-bodied classic of the same era. This is a car that has been asleep, not destroyed.

Engine – Starts and Runs

For a car that has stood still for two decades, the fact that the engine starts and runs is significant. A test drive is available by appointment for serious buyers. We will not be presenting the car for an MOT – it is offered as a project – but the mechanical foundation is there to build on.

Exterior – Rouge Mephisto with Rare Taillights

The car is finished in Rouge Mephisto – one of the most striking and desirable colours on the Murena, and one that will look exceptional once the restoration is complete. The taillights are in excellent condition, which is genuinely noteworthy – original Murena taillights in good condition are increasingly rare and currently fetch around €470 for a pair on the open market. On this car, they are present and intact. The current wheels can be swapped for original Murena wheels if preferred – something we can discuss at the time of sale.

Bodywork – Doors Require Attention, But Two Good Replacement Doors Included

The doors on the car show rust and will require attention as part of the restoration. However – and this is a meaningful bonus – two good replacement doors are included in the sale. That is a head start that any restorer will appreciate, as good original Murena doors are not easy to find. Beyond the doors, there is remarkably little rust to be found elsewhere on the car.

Interior – Original and Well Preserved

The interior is beautifully original and in good condition for a car of this age and history. Twenty years of storage has not undone what is clearly a well-preserved cabin. The three-seat layout is intact, and the overall impression inside the car is of a solid and original base that will clean up and present very well as part of a restoration.

Polyester Condition – One Area to Note

As with all Murenas, the body panels are glass-fibre reinforced polyester – meaning rust is simply not a factor for the bodywork itself. The only polyester damage noted is a small area on the roof, as visible in the photos. No other polyester damage has been found. This is an honest and accurate representation of the car’s condition.

Matra Specialist Since 1988

CarJoy has been specialising in the Matra brand since 1988. We know these cars better than anyone, and we are happy to advise on what a full restoration of this car would involve, what parts are available, and what the end result could look like. We currently do not have the capacity to take this restoration on ourselves – which is the only reason this car is being offered for sale. It deserves to be finished, and we hope to find the right person to do it justice.

Contact and Viewing

At €5,995, this 1983 Matra Murena 2.2 in Rouge Mephisto represents a genuine and honest opportunity for the enthusiast who is ready to take on a rewarding restoration project. The mileage is low – exact figure to be confirmed. Viewing and a test drive are available by appointment.