Matra Bonnet DJET V, MB8

Vehicle Description

French Grand Tourismo single-seater with racing experience
– 1.1L Renault R8 Gordini four-cylinder in-line engine with 52 kW (70 hp) and 4-speed manual gearbox
– Plastic body on a central tubular frame with hinged rear window
– French registration 07/2001
– F.I.A. GT homologation 06/1965
– FFSA GTS Passeport 04/1995
– KNAF Historic Technical Passport – Competition GT Car from 03/2010
– Imported to Germany in 2010
DJET V was successfully used in hill climbs

The Matra Djet was a series of compact sports cars introduced in 1962. The Djet was originally developed by Automobile Rene Bonnet and was the world’s first production road car with a rear mid-engine when it was launched. The car was actually to be given the nickname “Jet”. However, as Bonnet did not trust his fellow countrymen to pronounce the English word “jet” correctly, it became “Djet”. After limited production under the Rene Bonnet brand, the company ran into financial difficulties and Matra, which had already provided the bodies and production space, decided to continue production under the Matra brand. Bonnet only built just under 200 units by 1964. After the sale to Matra, a further 1491 vehicles were added, and Matra continued to build the Djet almost unchanged until 1868.
Production of the Djet continued in different variants: I, II, III, IV, V, V S and Jet 6. These cars were powered by a choice of 1.0-liter, 1.1-liter or 1.2-liter in-line engines, all mated to a 4-speed manual transmission and driving the rear wheels. Production of the Matra Djet ended at the end of 1967, but a few examples were still being sold in 1968.

Vehicle Overview