In Brief:

• Exceptionally distinctive Talbot-Matra Murena 2.2
• Finished in bright red over grey velour interior
• Unusual three-abreast front seating
• A rare French sports car with long ownership and strong supporting file
• Rare original wheels and manufacturers manuals to appeal to collectors

Auctioneer's Notes:

A wonderfully distinctive example of Matra's innovative three-seat sports coupé, this 1981 Talbot-Matra Murena 2.2 is finished in bright red over a very period grey velour interior. Its unusual three-abreast seating arrangement remains one of the Murena's most memorable features and gives the cabin a character all of its own.

According to the Vendor, the car was supplied new in Switzerland in 1981, acquired by Mr Norman in 1986 and imported into the UK the following year. After many years in his ownership and a later period in storage, it was sold by his widow in 2025 before being recommissioned for road use. It was subsequently driven to the 2026 Le Mans Classic Legends, where the Vendor reports it completed two laps of the circuit.

Maintenance & Condition:

The Vendor advises that work carried out by the previous owner at around 137,000 kilometres included replacement fuel pipes and clips within the engine bay, an alternator and upper ball joints. The car also features twin sidedraught Weber carburettors, a Holbay Tornado camshaft, sports exhaust and Mille Miglia alloy wheels.

Its more recent recommissioning included attention to the wheel bearings and brake calipers, an overhaul of the braking system, replacement clutch master and slave cylinders, new ignition leads and spark plugs, and an overhaul of the cooling system with a new thermostat and manual override switch. All fluids were also renewed. The car was MOT tested on 9 April 2026 at 137,764 kilometres.

Importantly, the Murena is accompanied by its full set of original wheels, an attractive bonus for collectors and particularly useful should a future keeper wish to return the car to a more original specification.

History:

The Vendor's records state that the Murena was supplied new in Switzerland in 1981 and imported to the UK in 1987 at approximately 63,210 kilometres. It remained in use until 2017, when it was placed into storage due to its owner's ill health, before being sold by his widow in 2025 at approximately 137,752 kilometres.

The paperwork is extensive, with old MOTs, original purchase and export documents, sales literature, technical material and period articles. Particularly notable are two original Matra Murena manufacturer's workshop/service manuals, together with a separate service book for the engine itself, which the Vendor advises are now very difficult to obtain.

Also included are a dealer parts-list book, Talbot workshop manual and photocopy of the owner's handbook, along with two ignition/door keys, a fuel-cap key and various spares. Boxes of Matra club magazines and newsletters further add to the comprehensive history file.

The Model:

Introduced in 1980 as the successor to the Matra-Simca Bagheera, the Murena combined striking wedge-shaped styling with a mid-engined layout, glassfibre bodywork and galvanised steel chassis. The result was a lightweight and highly individual sports car with a particularly forward-thinking approach to design.

The more powerful 2.2-litre version used a 2,155cc four-cylinder engine producing around 115–118bhp in standard form, driving the rear wheels through a five-speed manual transaxle. Weighing approximately 1,050kg, it was capable of lively performance, with a top speed approaching 125mph.

Its defining feature was the remarkable three-abreast seating arrangement, allowing three occupants to sit across a single row rather than adopting the conventional 2+2 layout found in many contemporary sports coupés.

Sale Insight:

Produced for only a short period, the Murena is an increasingly unusual sight, with the 2.2-litre model being the rarer and more powerful version. This example combines an interesting long-term ownership story with recent recommissioning, distinctive period upgrades and an unusually comprehensive collection of supporting material.

The inclusion of the original wheels, rare factory workshop literature and extensive Matra club archive further strengthens its appeal, while its recent journey to Le Mans provides an excellent final chapter to its history ahead of the sale.

Estimate:
£6,000 - £7,000