Up for grabs on eBay is an exceedingly rare 1966 Matra Djet 5, a fiberglass-bodied sports coupe that was the world’s first mid-engined production vehicle. Over the course of its production, the Djet enjoyed a colorful competition history and was built under two different manufacturers nameplates; today, they are far from common. Find this later Matra-built Djet 5 here on eBay with a Buy-It-Now of $15K and the option to submit a best offer.
As you can see on the rear, the badge indicates the two-family ownership the Djet was born under, with the original builder Rene Bonnet sharing his namesake with Matra, which would eventually take control after supplying the fiberglass bodies from its inception. Of course, with the cars being assembled in Matra’s factory, it’s not surprising that Matra would seek more control. The recipe remained largely the same, however, and the powerplants were sourced from Renault in a variety of performance ranges.
The mid-engined layout was certainly unusual for the era and the Djet’s cockpit is the kind of you’d expect to find in a more powerful road car or competition vehicle. The Djet was priced rather ambitiously from new, banking on the public’s awareness of its success in motorsports events; this proved not to be an effective marketing strategy. This being a 1966 car would mark the only year Matra shared the name with Bonnet, as it was later dropped and the model name shortened to simply “Jet.”
The chassis looks quite sound on this car, but it is missing a drivetrain. As the seller points out, the use of Renault mechanical bits should mean finding a suitable replacement is a manageable task, but it also represents a good opportunity to build this to factory “S”-level specs, which offered Djet owners a more powerful engine sourced from a Renault Gordini. We haven’t seen many of these over the years, and you’ll likely never see yourself twice at Cars & Coffee.
I am not sure I believe that the transaxle used in this mid-engine configuration is an “easy to source” “standard Renault part.” For that matter, I haven’t tripped over any mid-60s Renault engines and gearboxes in some time . .. But to make clear I am not trying to hold the price down, I promise I will . . . somehow . . . like most of the rest of the world . . .refrain from bidding . . .
I would say it’s probably “easier” to source than a VW-based Hewland, or Cooper-Citroen ‘box!
If my sometimes-shaky memory is right, Bonnet and Matra used a front-engine Renault Estafette van transaxle to suit the mid-engine setup (a standard R8/R10 engine was hung out in back). That might be a real chore to find! I don’t think you can easily flip the ring gear as you can on an old VW ‘box.
Nonetheless, Djets are gorgeous, I think. Their light weight helps wring a lot of performance out of an 1108cc (or thereabouts) engine. You’d definitely want to find one with the “Gordini” head, and tack on a Weber or two.
My personal preference would be for an Alpine A110, but I’d “settle” for this. It’s a bit pricey, especially when you factor in shipping from the U.K., though.
You’re correct about using the Estafette gearbox. Link to the lowest asking price @ €42,500 ($52,275) for 4 Matra Djets listed on Leboncoin dot fr:
https://www.leboncoin.fr/voitures/1381262940.htm?ca=12_s
Appraised at €42,500 in July 2016. New paint, new upholstery, and new stainless steel exhaust. 47,000 kms (29,000 miles) Currently running a non Gordini 1400cc with few miles.
Link to Rene Bonnet Djet II / 1963 Rallye. A110 power. No price…for the serious collector (?):
https://www.leboncoin.fr/voitures/1405938094.htm?ca=12_s
For restoration in complete and correct state. Only 3 photos
Interesting to see the cars in the background in the first picture. Both produced by Matra, we have a Bagheera (produced from 1973 to 1980) and a first generation Renault Espace (produced by Matra from 1984 to 2002). The Espace is still produced today, but without Matra.
Quite surprised to see them stateside. I guess there musn’t be many either at Cars & Coffee. They are also scarce here in France.
Arno, the Djet, Bagheera and Espace are all located in the U.K., according to the ad.
I’ve seen three, two, and one of each respectively in California.
My bad… thanks Ray, I read too fast and saw the $ with the price. Next time I’ll be more careful!
Never heard of it, but one look at the 3 lug wheels, immediately told me the country of origin. IDK, square tubing looks a bit weak. Kind of Opel GT looking. So many neat world cars I never heard of.
I believe Yuri Gagarin was given one of these….saw a picture of him with one.
Is this the same basic car that the ice racer listed a while back was based on? Was from Alaska if I remember correctly?
That was an Abarth
It’s interesting 🤔
Interesting…same car listed on Hemmings as being auctioned by Catawiki in the Netherlands and current bid up to $20,937.
https://auction.catawiki.com/kavels/17270713-matra-djet-5-1966?utm_campaign=ClassicCars-PN-COM&amc=inc.Catawiki.250634.262605.95391&utm_content=250634&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=pn
Cool car!
Not hard to get an Estafette transmission. Saw a full van for 2500€ this morning. I´d be more concerned by the rear glass.
Cheap or expensive? Not too hard to restore and hard to find another.
Tail lights/winkers sourced from Simca ‘Mille’ or 1000 ?
These photos were taken in Holland, looks to be the place of Kout automobiles. He is specialized in French cars, made in small numbers.
Yes, it is the place. Look at this Simca, photographed also before the shop. I bought a Maserati there about 15 years ago.
http://www.koutauto.nl/voorraadDetail.php?id=41
The car pictured is a 1965. The transmission is from a delivery van and very hard to locate in the US. The rear window is actually plastic and I think they are available new from France. The windshield is from an Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Speciale SS. Janet Guthrie started her racing career in a D’Jet.
It wasn’t the first mid-engined production car. The Mercedes 130 – 170H of 1931-9 beat it by a long way and there may have been others. If you go back far enough to the turn of the century one- and two-cylinder cars, many were “mid-engined”.
Sure looks Opel GT’ish…
The M-B 130H was a long way from being mid-engined – like 100% of the engine and most of the trans is behind the rear axle. There’s one about 100′ from my office, I just went and looked. The rear axle line is just about under the rear edge of the back window as seen here.
The D’jet is pretty much recognized as the first successful mass-produced mid-engine car. Of course, “successful” and “mass-produced” are not easily defined! It’s certainly a fun and beautiful car to drive, though!