#matra

Matra Jet 6 SS 1967. - source Colby Martel.

Matra Djet (1965)

1980 Talbot Matra Rancho

Matra was a specialist car maker who collaborated with Simca to create the Bagheera, a mid-engined sports car with unique three-abreast seating. The Bagheera was powered by Simca 4-cylinder engines, but Matra’s engineers wanted more power. The Bagheera U8 was created by joining two 1.3-litre Simca engines side by side at an 82º angle, sharing a common sump. Alas, the 1973 energy crisis, combined with engineering issues, meant the U8 didn’t progress beyond the prototype stage.

At the most glamorous circuit on the calendar, Lauda took pole alongside Clay Regazzoni on the front row. Lauda led into the first corner and never relinquished the lead for the entire race. Thanks to Ronnie Peterson's March in second place, holding up Regazzoni and Jody Shacketer and Patrick Depailler in the two Tyrrells, Lauda pulled away from the pack. Regazzoni went down an escape road because of oil on the track, and Peterson spun off and crashed on the next lap due to the same reason, causing him to retire from the race. This left Scheckter in second, and Depailler third, but a charging Regazzoni passed Depailler. However, while chasing Scheckter, Regazzoni crashed out of the race with 5 laps left, thus ensuring that both the six-wheeled cars were on the podium behind Lauda. Lauda now had a massive 33-point lead in the championship over Regazzoni and Hunt, who retired early in the race with engine problems.