Matra Rancho
Adventure-Ready and Ahead of Its Time – Matra’s Bold Step into the Leisure Vehicle Market
Matra Rancho Info
The Origins of the Rancho
The Matra-Simca Rancho began life under the name Voiture Verte—“Green Car.” Philippe Guédon and the Matra team set out to create a car that combined everyday practicality with rugged styling, targeting families and adventurers alike.
Road-Ready, Not Off-Road
Despite its off-road appearance, the Rancho lacked four-wheel drive. Still, it handled well on rough and unpaved roads thanks to increased ride height and durable construction. It wasn’t a 4×4, but it felt at home in the countryside.
Versatility as a Core Strength
The Rancho was ideal for family outings, weekend trips, and hauling gear. Its spacious layout made it possible to camp, carry large loads, or seat additional passengers with ease. All of this came with a distinctive look that appealed to drivers who wanted something different from the average estate car.
Rancho’s Market Position:
The Rancho is often considered one of the very first “leisure activity vehicles” (LAVs) — a segment that wouldn’t formally exist until much later with cars like the Renault Kangoo or Citroën Berlingo. It offered the visual appeal of a rugged off-roader at a time when most SUVs were still utilitarian and expensive.
Sales Overview:
Between 1977 and 1983, Matra produced approximately 56,457 Ranchos. Although not a huge number, it was a respectable figure for a niche vehicle and it helped keep Matra’s factory operational between sports car projects.
End of Production
Various versions were released throughout its lifespan. Production ended in 1983, and although the Rancho was never a huge commercial success, it paved the way for the modern MPV. In fact, the Rancho was the conceptual forerunner to the Renault Espace, also developed by Matra.
Matra Rancho Design
Designed for Practical Adventure
The Rancho was Matra’s response to changing social and economic conditions in the mid-1970s, including the oil crisis and a growing interest in recreational travel. It was envisioned as a practical, stylish vehicle for families seeking adventure.
Economic Engineering
Cost-saving was a major part of the concept. To keep prices down, the Rancho used many existing components from Simca:
Chassis and brakes from the Simca 1100
Engine from the Simca 1308
Final assembly done by Matra
This approach allowed Matra to create a spacious, rugged vehicle without developing a completely new platform.
Prototype and Concept Roots:
Before the Rancho, Matra had experimented with a more off-road-focused prototype called the Matra-Simca M.550 in the early ’70s, which likely influenced the Rancho’s development. However, the M.550 never made it to production due to cost and complexity.
A Non-4×4 by Choice
Adding four-wheel drive would have made the Rancho too expensive, so the design team opted for front-wheel drive. While it limited off-road performance, this decision made the car more accessible and kept fuel consumption in check.
Launch and Legacy
The first Rancho rolled off the line in 1977 as the second Matra-Simca product after the Bagheera. It stood apart with its unusual blend of utilitarian function and adventurous style.
Matra Rancho exterior
Rugged Looks, Practical Features
The Rancho featured a raised roof, plastic cladding, roof rack, and bold lines—giving it a tough, outdoorsy appearance. Although these features suggested serious off-road capability, they were mostly aesthetic.
Special Editions
Several Rancho variants were introduced:
Grand Raid (1980): Equipped with underbody protection, a front winch, tinted glass, and a spotlight. Only available in matte green.
Rancho X: A more upscale model with metallic paint, alloy wheels, and tinted glass.
AS (Affaires Spéciales): A commercial version with a standard exterior. Never officially sold in the Netherlands.
Decouvrable (1981): A semi-convertible model with a canvas rear section and removable soft panels. Available in two colors: Vert Sologne (green) and Terre Battue (brown).
Plastic Body Panels:
The Rancho’s distinctive cladding was made from fiberglass-reinforced polyester, a cost-effective and corrosion-resistant material Matra had experience with from the Bagheera. These panels gave the Rancho a unique look and added durability for outdoor use.
Design Credits:
The Rancho’s styling was led by Antonis Volanis, the same designer behind the Bagheera and later the Espace. His approach blended rugged cues with functional, modular design elements.
Matra Rancho Interior
Space and Flexibility
One of the Rancho’s main strengths was its spacious cabin. Headroom and legroom were generous, and the large cargo area was accessible via a split tailgate.
Versatile Seating
The rear bench could fold down to create a flat load floor. An optional third-row bench was also available, facing backward and capable of seating two adults. When folded, this seat only took up vertical space, preserving cargo length.
Functional Design
Although the Rancho’s interior was simple, it was designed with practicality in mind. Large windows provided excellent visibility, and the overall layout supported both daily use and weekend adventures.
Commercial Version Details:
The Rancho AS (Affaires Spéciales) was popular in France among tradespeople and even government services like EDF (Électricité de France), thanks to its large load area and low operating costs.
Matra Rancho Mechanics
Chassis and Construction
The Rancho used a reinforced version of the Simca 1100 pickup chassis. Matra then installed custom polyester body panels and assembled the full vehicle in its own factory. The result was a car that combined durability with unique styling.
Engine and Drivetrain
The engine was borrowed from the Simca 1308, offering solid performance for a car in this category. Like other Simca-based Matras, the Rancho used front-wheel drive, contributing to lower costs and simpler maintenance.
Engine Specs:
The most common engine was the 1.4L Simca Type 315 inline-four, producing around 80 hp (DIN). It provided adequate performance but struggled when fully loaded or going uphill.
Weight and Performance:
Curb weight: approx. 1,200 kg
Top speed: ~145 km/h
0–100 km/h: ~19 seconds
Not fast, but acceptable for a utility vehicle in its era.
Suspension and Handling
Front: Independent suspension with unequal-length control arms and longitudinal torsion bars
Rear: Longitudinal trailing arms with transverse torsion bars
Dampers: Telescopic shock absorbers all around
This setup gave the Rancho a smooth ride and surprisingly good handling for a vehicle of its size and purpose.
Braking System
The Rancho was equipped with a dual-circuit brake system:
Front: Disc brakes
Rear: Drum brakes
Extras: Brake booster for added safety and performance