Confession time. I've bought myself a retirement present (a stablemate for my B, not a replacement) in the shape of a 1983 Matra Murena 2.2. I've wanted one ever since reading LJK Setright's review in CAR magazine in 1982, and have finally taken the plunge. So, that's now two LHD mid-life-crisis toys (as some unkind souls might put it) in my barn.

It will be fascinating to compare the driving experience of the two. The Murena is more powerful (it has the twin carb upgrade, so 142hp), and lighter due to the GRP bodywork, so it should show the B a clean pair of heels (or, in this case, a clean pair of popping and crackling exhausts).:devil: Being mid-engined, it should also be quicker through the twisty bits. There's a small but passionate Matra owners' club, and a monthly magazine, but no online forum, which is a shame.

I'll post some pics and share my driving impressions in due course. Apropos of Well Travelled Barchetta's recent posts about Minty, his Seicento, I haven't yet fixed on a name. It's blue, so AquaMurena might seem appropriate, and for those of you of a certain age, you'll be hearing the song from Stingray in your heads for the rest of the evening.

Edit: sorry, that should of course be Barchetta Bloke 440's Seicento.

I've always liked the Murena too ,even more scarce than B's and Minty 600s

Barchetta Bloke 440 said:

I've always liked the Murena too ,even more scarce than B's and Minty 600s

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Fewer than 20 on the road in the UK, apparently. In the last decade, I've only seen one in the wild. They have a stronger following on the continent (especially the Netherlands, Germany and France). Sourcing spares is going to be interesting!