One with 3 seats in the front
You never forget your first love. That’s why we look back with proud first car owners to the time they started driving with… Well, with what exactly? When Henk Jan first spotted a Matra Bagheera as a child, he was deeply impressed. Twelve years later, he had his own Bagheera S, and it has never left him.
You started your automotive career with a special car. Why a Talbot-Matra Bagheera S?
“I first saw the car as a nine-year-old boy at the local Simca dealer. It was bright yellow and had venom-green upholstery. Pure magic. The Matra looked like it came from another planet. If only I could drive something like that later! It was a fairly expensive car for its time. I believe they cost around 23,000 guilders new at its introduction, and by 1980, under the Talbot flag, that price had risen to 29,000 guilders. For that money, you could also drive a Benz. In 1985, a five-year-old model was for sale at the Volvo dealer in Groningen, the time had finally come, and for 4,000 guilders, I got my hands on a Bagheera S.”
The Bagheera had a flying start, but its reputation quickly fell apart. Rightly or wrongly so?
“Matra benefited from unprecedented publicity around the time the Bagheera came onto the market. The brand won the Formula 1 World Championship in 1969 and, from 1972, took the title three times in a row at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. When the Bagheera was launched in 1973, the car initially had a great start. Later, quality problems came to light, resulting in a poor reputation. When I bought my car, there was no mandatory vehicle inspection (MOT) yet, and I drove it problem-free for a few months, but at the first inspection that same year, it failed due to rust problems. At home, I dismantled the polyester body, and then the chassis came to light.
Yet, your example is still alive and kicking ! How did you manage that?
“In 1988, I acquired a galvanized chassis in France for 7,000 guilders. The Bagheera was rebuilt, with the engine and gearbox also immediately addressed. I think I put about 2,000 hours of work into it, but it has been problem-free ever since. The parts supply is excellent, but tinkering is difficult. To work on the engine, you have to stand in the trunk. Someone from the roadside assistance once told me that the Bagheera is the nightmare of the breakdown service.”
Does a Matra drive as fun as it looks?
“The thing only has 90 hp, but it’s nice and light, and thanks to the mid-engine, the car stays very stable on the road. It can reach 180 km/h, but if it goes faster than 160 km/h, it starts to feel adventurous. The interior is specially designed. The Bagheera has no back seat, but three front seats. My sons loved that when they were little. Three guys my size don’t fit, but two children or slim ladies are perfect fine! The Matra is also quite practical. Four suitcases easily fit in the trunk, but I wouldn’t keep flowers in there. Due to the engine’s heat, you’ll have created a dry bouquet after a few minutes.
Last year, you had the Bagheera for exactly forty years. Will it ever leave you?
“I have more nice cars, but the Matra remains my favorite. When I bought it, I never thought I would keep it forever. I think it’s a beautiful, timeless car. It’s not an obvious classic, and that makes it extra special to me. You almost never encounter a Bagheera anymore.”
