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3 plus 0 - Matra-Simca Bagheera (in the historical test)

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Created on March 1, 1974

Text:

Herbert Völker

Photos:

Archiv

18

Archiv

18

Matra-Simca Bagheera (1974) - not quite a Maserati, but close in design

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Matra-Simca Bagheera (1974) - unmistakable design

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Matra-Simca Bagheera (1974) - flat and wide, just like a sports car should be

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Matra-Simca Bagheera (1974) - the low height promises good aerodynamics and convincing driving performance

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Matra-Simca Bagheera (1975) - the first models had small rear lights, the series 2 then wider and larger ones

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Matra-Simca Bagheera (1974) - ex works with only one exterior mirror

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Matra-Simca Bagheera (1974) - the three seats required a little more space in width

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Matra-Simca Bagheera (1974) - Maserati styling and mass production technology

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Matra-Simca Bagheera (1974) - with the practical glass tailgate

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Matra-Simca Bagheera (1973) - attractive mid-engined coupé with three seats side by side - International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt 1973

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Matra-Simca Bagheera (1974) - at the Geneva Motor Show 1974 in Geneva

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Matra-Simca Bagheera (1974) - the three-seater interior

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Matra-Simca Bagheera (1974) - A look inside the mid-engined sports car

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Matra-Simca Bagheera (1974) - already 40 years ago, steering wheel flattened at the bottom

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Matra-Simca Bagheera (1974) - Headlights and emblem

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Matra-Simca Bagheera (1974) - Headlights and emblem

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Matra-Simca Bagheera (1974) - Dimensions

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Matra-Simca Bagheera (1974) - Dimensions from different perspectives

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Summary

In 1973, the Austrian magazine Auto Revue tested the Matra-Simca Bagheera plastic mid-engined sports car. Herbert Völker found many positive aspects of the coupé, which had three seats in a row, but criticized its performance, which was not quite up to sports car standards, and its shortcomings in terms of shifting and safety. This article edits the original wording of the 1974 test report and supplements it with many archive photos and a brochure of the Matra-Simca Bagheera.

This article contains the following chapters

Not permitted by law
Jungle Book namesake
Exclusive design with off-the-shelf mechanics
The victims of the mid-engine
Close contact guaranteed
Sports car-like accommodation
Extravagant, but compromises on safety
Optimal rabbit trap
Satisfactory driving performance
Poor shift precision
Reserves in the chassis
A car that people talk about
Matra-Simca Bagheera compared to the competition

Estimated reading time: 6min

Preview (beginning of the article)

Hopefully, it will also be permitted these days to engage in somewhat more cheerful forms of transportation. The Bagheera comes at just the right time: Let's talk about a cheerful car. First the obligatory raised index finger: Does this car fit into our limited, restricted and so sensible world? Damage to a plastic body does not fit into the standard insurance rates - it will be up to the importer to have enough spare parts in stock at reasonable prices, as imports of the Bagheera are only just starting. The Bagheera also does not fit in with our law, which does not allow children to sit in the front seats. And since the Bagheera offers fifty percent more front seats than normal cars, but no rear seats, the transportation of children in the Bagheera is prohibited - at least until this law allows more flexible interpretations by taking into account suitable child seats (possibly also special belts).

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