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- 1974 Matra Bagheera (X)
Talbot1974 Talbot Matra Bagheera (X) Dimensions, Size & Specs| Production | |
|---|---|
| Model Year: | 1974 |
| Production Years: | 1973 - 1980 discontinued in 1980 |
The Talbot Matra Bagheera (X) represents a unique fusion of French design and engineering from the 1970s, produced between 1973 and 1980. This distinctive coupe was marketed under the Talbot brand after the collaboration between Matra and Simca, although its roots trace back to Matra’s original development. The 1974 Matra Bagheera (X) model continued to establish itself as a compact sports car with a striking three-seat layout and innovative structural design.
Measuring in compact dimensions, the Talbot Matra Bagheera (X) features a length of approximately 4,245 mm (167 in), showcasing a relatively low profile with a height close to 1,150 mm (45.3 in). Its width spans roughly 1,700 mm (66.9 in), enabling a stable driving experience with an aerodynamic silhouette. The lightweight body and mid-engine layout contributed to excellent handling and balance, essential characteristics for a sports coupe of its time.
Under the hood, it was typically powered by Simca-derived four-cylinder engines, delivering spirited performance in conjunction with the car’s sporty chassis. The Bagheera's bodywork was notable for its fiberglass construction providing a reduction in overall weight — approximately 970 kg (2,138 lbs) depending on the specific model and equipment level.
This Talbot Matra Bagheera (X) coupe was renowned not only for its style and innovation but also for its practicality within a sports car framework, thanks in part to its unique seating arrangement that allowed for three passengers side-by-side in a compact cabin layout. This made it stand out compared to typical two-seat sports cars of the era.
Overall, the Talbot Matra Bagheera (X) from 1974 remains an iconic example of 1970s European coupe design, blending innovation, dynamic performance, and compact size into a memorable, collectible classic car.
Discover the standout features that make the 1974 Talbot Matra Bagheera a leader in its class
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The Talbot Matra Bagheera (X) 1974 coupe has a length of approximately 3,960 mm (155.9 inches), a width of about 1,660 mm (65.4 inches), and a height measuring roughly 1,130 mm (44.5 inches). Its compact size is indicative of its sporty design ideals during its production from 1973 to 1980, representing a sleek profile typical of mid-1970s European coupes. These dimensions contribute to its agile handling and distinctive road presence despite its relatively small footprint.
The 1974 Talbot Matra Bagheera (X) weighs approximately 980 kg (2,160 lbs) curb weight. This relatively light weight for its class enhances its agility and acceleration capabilities, allowing the compact sports coupe to deliver nimble handling and a responsive driving experience. The lightweight construction contributes to better fuel efficiency and handling dynamics, making the Matra Bagheera a standout in the sports coupe category of its era.
The wheelbase of the 1974 Talbot Matra Bagheera (X) measures about 2,410 mm (94.9 inches). Wheelbase length affects both ride quality and vehicle handling — a shorter wheelbase like this typically results in sharper cornering and better maneuverability, which suits the Bagheera's sporty coupe design. While a shorter wheelbase can sometimes reduce stability at very high speeds, the Bagheera balances these characteristics well to deliver an engaging driving experience.
The interior cabin space of the Talbot Matra Bagheera (X) is designed to accommodate two plus one seating arrangement, reflecting its compact coupe nature. With an exterior width of roughly 1,660 mm (65.4 inches) and height around 1,130 mm (44.5 inches), interior width and headroom are modest but offer comfortable seating for driver and front passenger, with a smaller but usable rear seat for occasional passengers or storage. The low roofline enhances the sporty feel but slightly restricts headroom compared to larger vehicles.
Yes, the Talbot Matra Bagheera (X) fits comfortably into a standard single-car garage. Given its compact dimensions — approximately 3.96 meters (155.9 inches) in length, 1.66 meters (65.4 inches) in width, and 1.13 meters (44.5 inches) in height — it is smaller than typical modern cars, allowing sufficient clearance on all sides inside a standard garage space, which is generally around 6 meters (20 feet) long and 3 meters (10 feet) wide. Its low height also ensures it fits well beneath garage door heights.
The 1974 Matra Bagheera (X) actually represents the first and only generation of the Bagheera model; thus, there is no direct predecessor generation for dimensional comparison. However, as the initial production generation from 1973 to 1980, it established its distinctive compact coupe proportions and sporty layout, setting the benchmark for the model's entire production. The dimensions were innovative at the time, emphasizing a lightweight yet roomy design using a three-seat arrangement unique for sports coupes.
Compared to other 1970s coupes such as the Porsche 911 or Jaguar XJ-S, the Talbot Matra Bagheera (X) is notably more compact. Its length of 3.96 meters (155.9 inches) and width of 1.66 meters (65.4 inches) make it smaller than many contemporary sports coupes, which often approached or exceeded 4.3 meters (170 inches) in length. This smaller footprint contributed to its agility and lighter weight. Its unique three-seat layout and fiberglass body construction further distinguished the Bagheera from competitors focused on more conventional luxury or performance dimensions.
The Talbot Matra Bagheera (X) features a rear trunk providing a cargo capacity in the range of approximately 100-150 liters (3.5 to 5.3 cubic feet), depending on the model's specific interior layout and rear seat usage. While modest, this trunk space is sufficient for basic luggage or shopping needs. The car's practical hatchback design and rear seat folding abilities allow some expansion of cargo capacity, but as a compact sports coupe, its emphasis remains on sporty driving rather than extensive cargo practicality.
The Talbot Matra Bagheera (X) features a wedge-shaped, low-slung profile typical of 1970s sports coupes. Its sharply angled front end, compact dimensions, pop-up headlights, and smooth, rounded edges help reduce aerodynamic drag. With a length of just under 4 meters and a height of only 1.13 meters, the Bagheera's low frontal area enhances airflow efficiency, contributing to better top speeds and fuel economy for its time. The wide stance relative to length also aids in stability during spirited driving.
The Talbot Matra Bagheera (X) was primarily equipped with inline-4 engines sourced from Simca, with displacements ranging from 1.3 to 2.2 liters depending on the model year and market. These lightweight engines helped keep the car's curb weight at an agile 980 kg (2,160 lbs). The mid-engine layout, placing the engine behind the driver but ahead of the rear axle, enhanced weight distribution and balance, improving handling performance and contributing to the Bagheera’s reputation as a nimble and fun-to-drive sports coupe.
