Two-decade Matra restoration dodges lightning

Classic TOUR sud, VENDÉE, FRANCE

The threat of violent storms did not deter the 104 historic and classic cars that gathered in Fontenay-le-comte before departing on four separate 35km circuits of the southern Vendée for the Classic Tour Sud.

1973 Matra 530lx

It was the first time owner Jean-claude Deborde had competed in his Matra – the restoration had taken him 20 years.

‘I have a Murena up and running, and a Bagheera and Rancho both waiting to be restored,’ Deborde said. ‘But the 530, found in Brittany in 1998, was the biggest project by far.

‘It was a wreck. However, as a late production car it was worth restoring. The body came off because the chassis had suffered the usual corrosion. I rebuilt it entirely, replacing much of the steel plate, and galvanised it. Full bodywork restoration followed. I sourced the four-cylinder 1.7 litre overhead-valve engine from another wreck, rebuilt that to as-new condition and installed it. The work took over 1000 hours in total, and I didn’t finish it off until early this year.

‘With its polyester body the 530 is light and easy to handle. And the 78hp mid-position Taunus engine means it’s good for 105mph. But even in France the 530 is a rare beast. Fewer than 10,000 were built between 1968 and 1973, and only 200-300 are running today. It’s very desirable, being the natural successor to the Djet – which I’d like to acquire, to complete my Matra collection, if not for their cost nowadays.’