Matra Sports M530 LX

INTRODUCTION

Matra Sports M530 LX is a sports car created and built by the French engineering group Matra.
In 1965 Matra’s CEO Jean-Luc Lagardère decided to develop a successor to the Matra Djet that was more appealing to the non-racing public – a voiture des copains (car for chums). The result was the Matra M530, the first “true” Matra sports car, the Djet having been a René Bonnet design. The car was named after Matra’s R.530 missile, and was designed by former Simca designer Philippe Guédon.

SUCCESS

Like its predecessor, Matra Sports M530 LX was built on a steel frame with polyester body and a mid-engine layout. To accommodate 2+2 seating, a mid-mounted engine and a reasonable boot. Introduced at the 1970 Geneva Motor Show was the Matra Sports M530 LX, which was a minor redesign of the M530 A by Michelotti. The most notable changes were the rear hatch (now made of glass and held open with struts like a hatchback) and the front bumper. No right-hand drive M530s were built.