Matra Djet History

The Djet began life as the Bonnet Jet, designed by René Bonnet using Renault mechanical components and a fiberglass body. When Bonnet's company ran into financial difficulty, Matra acquired the firm in October 1964 and resumed Djet production at Romorantin in April 1965 — giving the car its Matra chapter.

Automotive historians credit the Djet as the world's first rear mid-engined production road car, beating the De Tomaso Vallelunga to market despite both being announced around the same time. The mid-engine layout placed a Renault-sourced engine (up to a Gordini-tuned 1,255cc unit producing 103 hp in the top Jet 6 variant) behind the driver and ahead of the rear axle, producing excellent balance in a compact two-seat berlinette.

Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin famously received a Djet as a gift from the French government during his 1965 visit to France. Total Matra-period production reached approximately 1,495 units (out of roughly 1,693 across the car's combined Bonnet and Matra life). The Djet was replaced by the all-new Matra 530 for 1967.