Beschreibung:

French aerospace company Matra (Mechanique Aviation TRAction) diversified into automobile manufacture in 1965 when it took over René Bonnet and continued producing the latter’s Djet sports car. In partnership with Charles Deutsch, René Bonnet had first tried his hand at motor manufacturing in 1939 with a Citroën-based special, though further serious progress was curtailed until 1945. The duo formed Automobiles DB in 1949, turning to Panhard for engines and suspension components that would form the basis of a highly successful series of Le Mans class-winning sports prototypes from the mid-1950s onwards. In 1961 the partnership split, Deutsch continuing with Panhard-based cars while Bonnet turned to Renault. One of Bonnet’s first offerings was the stylish Djet, one of the first ever mid-engined road cars, though most examples ended up on the racetrack. A French motoring milestone, the Djet was powered by an 1,100cc Renault engine producing 70bhp in standard trim or 95bhp with Gordini tune, while beneath the typically slippery glassfibre coachwork there was a tubular spaceframe chassis, all round independent suspension and four-wheel disc brakes. This desirable, Gordini-engined Djet was acquired by the vendor in 1989 and restored in 1992. Presented in excellent condition throughout, the car is offered with Italian (ASI) papers. Cette rare et recherchée Djet à moteur Renault Gordini a été acquise par le Vendeur en 1989 et restaurée en 1992. En excellent état général, la voiture est accompagnée de ses papiers italiens (ASI).