Matra Djet Info
The Beginning of Matra Sports
The Matra Djet was the first car presented by Matra Sports following their 1964 takeover of René Bonnet. While still carrying the Matra-Bonnet name, it marked the beginning of Matra’s own automotive journey. It was a pioneering project that helped establish Matra as a serious player in sports car production.
A Pure Sports Car
Focused heavily on sporty driving, the Djet featured stiff suspension and a centrally mounted engine, which was quite innovative for a production car at the time. Its lightweight, streamlined polyester body allowed the modest Renault engine to deliver impressive performance for its size.
The Djet was a pure sports car—no room for more than two, and limited luggage space. Yet it offered perfect handling, quick acceleration, and a high top speed that let it compete with many larger-engined rivals of its era, thanks in part to its very low weight of approximately 700 kg (1540 lbs).
End of an Era
The last Djets, renamed Jet, were produced in 1967 and then replaced by Matra’s own M530 model, which continued the mid-engine tradition but aimed for more comfort and broader appeal.
Matra Djet Design
Origins of a French Sports Car
Following a split with Charles Deutsch, René Bonnet set out to build a new French sports car, using Renault parts as a base. Along with Jacques Hubert, he designed the Bonnet Djet—introduced in 1962—as the first mass-produced mid-engine car with a polyester body. This made it one of the earliest production cars worldwide to feature a fiberglass (polyester) body, a major innovation then.
Lightweight and Aerodynamic
Matra produced the polyester panels, which contributed to the Djet’s light weight and advanced construction. After Matra took over in 1964, the Djet’s original design remained largely unchanged, though the rear body was lengthened to increase luggage space and improve aerodynamics. The design prioritized function and performance with simple yet elegant lines.
Model Variations
Under Matra, the Djets were equipped with Gordini-tuned Renault engines, available as the Djet V (standard) and the more powerful Djet VS (Sport). By 1965, the “Bonnet” name was dropped, and the car became the Matra Sports Djet 5, with minor styling tweaks. The final year, 1967, saw the Djet renamed Jet, along with the introduction of a quicker Jet 6 model that featured improved engine tuning and a slight power increase.
Matra Djet Exterior
Polyester Body on Tubular Chassis
The Djet’s two-door body was built from polyester on a tubular steel chassis. Headlights were set behind clear Perspex covers to maintain smooth airflow, reducing drag and improving top speed—a thoughtful aerodynamic feature for its time.
Innovative Features
A clever detail was the windshield washer nozzles mounted directly on the wiper arms, eliminating the need for annoying bonnet-mounted spray buttons and ensuring dirt was always cleaned precisely where needed.
Styling Updates
In 1964, Matra’s modifications included lengthening the body, enhancing aerodynamic efficiency. By 1965, the car featured new bumpers replacing rubber blocks, an optional removable roof panel (a sort of early Targa concept), and a stylish wooden dashboard inside. The clean and purposeful exterior styling combined practicality with racing aesthetics.
Matra Djet Interior
Minimalist Sports Layout
True to its sports car nature, the Djet’s interior was minimalist—just two seats with little comfort. The vinyl seats were relatively small with non-adjustable backs, a necessity given the mid-engine layout placing the motor right behind the seats.
Optimal Weight Distribution
This rearward engine placement optimized weight distribution—centralizing mass between the wheels, a principle also found in Formula racing cars. This gave the Djet excellent handling balance and agility, highly prized by enthusiasts.
Practical Luggage Space
Despite its sporty focus, the Djet’s luggage space was surprisingly decent, especially after Matra’s bodywork adjustments. The front trunk (frunk) was accessible and useful for daily driving needs, uncommon in many sports cars of the time.
Matra Djet Mechanics
Chassis and Body Construction
The Djet was built on a tubular steel chassis supporting a self-supporting polyester body. This construction helped keep weight low and rigidity high, benefiting both performance and safety.
Engine and Transmission
Renault supplied the engines, initially from the Renault 8 and later the Renault 10, but Matra enhanced these units to boost power and torque, sometimes reaching around 70-80 hp depending on tuning. The engines were mounted transversely behind the seats, coupled with a manual transmission derived from Renault components, known for reliability and decent shift feel.
Matra Rear Suspension
The rear suspension was a Matra design featuring trailing arms with twin coil springs and dual shock absorbers per wheel—offering a balanced and responsive ride. The front suspension was from Renault, with disc brakes all around—quite advanced for a small sports car of the period, though without power assistance.