The site for enthusiasts of the french midengined sportscar MATRA 530 (1967-1973).

In the year 1967 the rising label MATRA Sports, daughter of the arms company Matra, brought out its new model, the Matra M530. The successor of the further produced Matra Jet was the first in self-direction designed road car of the company. Inspired of the endurance race-car Matra MS620 , first of all it's look heated up the minds. The extraordinary design was felt either as very beautiful or as very ugly, between them there was practically nothing. The Matra 530 was also the break with the compromiseless sports machine, straight to the comfortable 2+2 GT. Certainly the mid engine concept remained faithfully, and Matra chosed a Ford 1,7l V4 engine plus gear-box from the Ford 15mTS (P6). Not the even sportiest power source, but however problem-free in the handling. A well going Matra 530 nevertheless swings up to over 180km/h. Unfortunately the engines were in such a manner different in manufacturing that some vehicles had difficulties to achieve 170km/h. The layout as 2+2-seater also enabled young families with one or two children to drive an open sports car. In it's whole the Matra 530 was a very original and successful construction with many interesting solutions, with which the weaknesses were particularly in the varying quality of workmanship.