eBay French Connection: 1981 Matra Murena

Posted by Zach Doell 

@ BOLD RIDE                          

Let’s say you’re looking for a classic car, but something a little bit off the beaten path – something that you surely won’t pull up next to at a red light. If this sounds like you, close down your craigslist search windows and take a look at this positively bizarre 1981 Matra Murena.

The folks over at Hooniverse spotted this French enigma up for sale on eBay in Quebec, Canada. We’ll walk you through some of its finer points.

The Murena was Matra’s follow-up to the Bagheera sports car of the 1970s. Like the Bagheera, it sported a mid-engine layout that sent power to the rear wheels, which came courtesy of a 116-hp 2.2L four-cylinder. Unlike the Bagheera, it was only produced over four years. Performance wasn’t exactly legendary.


Though it’s hard not to find the car a bit endearing. The Murena featured three-abreast front seating, a spaceframe chassis, a hatchback fitted above and behind the Talbot-derived engine, and Citroen gearbox.

It’s certainly rare too, especially in North America, but rare doesn’t always equate to valuable. The seller is asking a steep $10,000 for the car, which does in fact look to be in good condition.

Factor in the 93,200 miles on the odometer with limited parts availability and the prospect looks a bit too bourgeois though.