1983 Talbot-Matra Murena 2.2 S
Discussion
The Murena drives very well indeed. In S spec, it has more raw power than a Europa, and handles in a pleasingly neutral mid engined way, with lots of grip, although it does not grip and corner quite as well as a Europa (few cars, old or new, do). A Murena knocks spots off a Lancia Montecarlo.
My Murena needs attention to its rear suspension, and I might reduce the tyre size on the front wheels. Visibility from the driver's seat is good in all directions. The gearchange is a but playful, but good enough. The ergonomics are mostly OK, but the window button is awkwardly placed at your left elbow, and the stereo is a bit far away when in a normal driving position.
The seats are not as horrid in real life as they look in the photos. They are comfortable, and the fabric is very hard wearing.
The Excel is probably the best car that I own, as it is almost completely original, and is the most practical and usable of my classics. There was a green anniversary edition for sale a few weeks ago. The blue one in Kent is good, but overpriced. Matty has a red one that may well be a good buy. Excels ought to be worth 9 to 12K, but at present 6 to 7 K should get you a good one. Avoid the saggy and tired ones.
My Murena needs attention to its rear suspension, and I might reduce the tyre size on the front wheels. Visibility from the driver's seat is good in all directions. The gearchange is a but playful, but good enough. The ergonomics are mostly OK, but the window button is awkwardly placed at your left elbow, and the stereo is a bit far away when in a normal driving position.
The seats are not as horrid in real life as they look in the photos. They are comfortable, and the fabric is very hard wearing.
The Excel is probably the best car that I own, as it is almost completely original, and is the most practical and usable of my classics. There was a green anniversary edition for sale a few weeks ago. The blue one in Kent is good, but overpriced. Matty has a red one that may well be a good buy. Excels ought to be worth 9 to 12K, but at present 6 to 7 K should get you a good one. Avoid the saggy and tired ones.
Cheers!
I have a bit of work to do on the Murena . It is mostly sound, but has the usual Achilles heel of the type: rear suspension arms that are starting to succumb to rust. Why Matra did not fit alloy ones is a mystery to me. This should hopefully be the only expensive job for a while, as otherwise its just a case of tidying up, and renewing worn consumable parts.
The Excel is in absolutely spiffy condition, right down to the original Dellorto sticker in the spotless engine bay, and is that rare thing, a reliable Lotus. In its day, it was overshadowed by the Esprit, and outsold by the Porsche 944 (which is inferior, in non turbo guise). Now it is a very neglected and rarely seen type. I like cars that few other people have.
My Elan Plus 2 looks better in photos than it really is, but it is a good if not great example of the type. It may need its water pump re doing soon, which is a pain, as you have to take the front off the engine, but otherwise it is pretty straight.
I have a bit of work to do on the Murena . It is mostly sound, but has the usual Achilles heel of the type: rear suspension arms that are starting to succumb to rust. Why Matra did not fit alloy ones is a mystery to me. This should hopefully be the only expensive job for a while, as otherwise its just a case of tidying up, and renewing worn consumable parts.
The Excel is in absolutely spiffy condition, right down to the original Dellorto sticker in the spotless engine bay, and is that rare thing, a reliable Lotus. In its day, it was overshadowed by the Esprit, and outsold by the Porsche 944 (which is inferior, in non turbo guise). Now it is a very neglected and rarely seen type. I like cars that few other people have.
My Elan Plus 2 looks better in photos than it really is, but it is a good if not great example of the type. It may need its water pump re doing soon, which is a pain, as you have to take the front off the engine, but otherwise it is pretty straight.
Edited by anonymous-user on Thursday 17th May 08:26
Love it.I have been fascinated by these since I was about 10 yrs old.A local cornershop stocked majorette toy cars and being french they had amazing suspension.Far superior to Matchbox offerings.
I purchased a yellow Bagheera and it had pride of place amongst the toy car collection and the fascination has continued ever since,just out of interest how many Murena and Bagheeras are left in the UK?
I purchased a yellow Bagheera and it had pride of place amongst the toy car collection and the fascination has continued ever since,just out of interest how many Murena and Bagheeras are left in the UK?
Next up: Vresdestein Hi-Tracs to replace the aged and over large Pirellis (front) and BF Goodriches (rear). I am fitting 185/55 R14s to the front, 195/60 R 14s to the rear. These Dutch (ditch?) tyres are said to be a softish compound, and good for mid engined RWD grippiness.
I am a fan of Mytyres.co.uk. My local tyre bloke quoted me 90 quid a corner, but the tyres are 60 and 40 online (the bigger ones are cheaper than the smaller ones).
Mytyres also delivered new Dunlop SP 9000s in a rare size for my Excel, to Italy while I was on hols there, as my old tyres had passed their life end en route.
Did I post this before?
http://www.rootes-chrysler.co.uk/car-development/d...
I am a fan of Mytyres.co.uk. My local tyre bloke quoted me 90 quid a corner, but the tyres are 60 and 40 online (the bigger ones are cheaper than the smaller ones).
Mytyres also delivered new Dunlop SP 9000s in a rare size for my Excel, to Italy while I was on hols there, as my old tyres had passed their life end en route.
Did I post this before?
http://www.rootes-chrysler.co.uk/car-development/d...
Haha as if by magic a bit of ebaying for a real one turned up a similar aforementioned Majorette model of a Bagheera,
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MAJORETTE-FRANCE-VINTAGE...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MAJORETTE-FRANCE-VINTAGE...
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff