Talbot-Matra Rancho

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Talbot
Matra-Simca Rancho (1977–1979)
Matra-Simca Rancho (1977–1979)
Matra Rancho (X3010)
Production period: 1977-1983
Class : Compact class
Body versions : High roof combination
Engines: Otto engine :
1.4 liters (59 kW)
Length: 4325 mm
Width: 1665 mm
Height: 1740 mm
Wheelbase : 2520 mm
Empty weight : 1140 kg

The Talbot-Matra Rancho , originally Matra-Simca Rancho , was a recreational vehicle made by the automobile manufacturer Talbot . The model based on the Simca 1100 pickup was designed by Antonis Volanis in the Matra planning office in 1976 . The Simca was developed into a recreational vehicle that looked like an off - road vehicle using add-on parts made of fiberglass-reinforced plastic . The engine was the same as in the Simca 1308 or Talbot 1510 and developed 80 hp (59 kW). The originally planned all-wheel drive seemed too expensive to those responsible, so that it was finally left with front-wheel drive .

Model history

The Matra-Simca Rancho was presented to the public at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1977 and went on sale in the summer of 1977.

After the PSA group had bought Chrysler Europe in the summer of 1978 , the vehicle was sold as Talbot-Matra Rancho by the new owner from August 1979 . In the spring of 1981 the special model Decouvrable was presented without side and rear windows.

Due to a new partnership with Renault and feared competition from its own sports models, Matra had to stop manufacturing the Murena at the beginning of 1984, while production of the Rancho was discontinued towards the end of 1983.

The Renault Espace I was manufactured on the production lines of both models from March 1984 . This was planned as the successor to the Rancho, but was rejected by the previous partner Peugeot. Both Rancho and Espace are considered the first in their respective vehicle class (compact SUV, van) in Europe.

With the “Van-Coupé” Renault Avantime , derived from the Espace III in autumn 2001 , Renault, in collaboration with Matra, created another (albeit unsuccessful) category.

  • Talbot-Matra Rancho (1979-1983)

  • Talbot-Matra Rancho Grand Raid

  • Rear view

Models

All models were equipped with the 1442 cubic centimeter four-cylinder engine of the Simca 1308:

  • Rancho: simple equipment
  • Rancho X : with metallic paint, aluminum wheels and tachometer
  • Rancho Decouvrable : with (partly transparent) roll-up tent sheets instead of glass panes in the rear structure
  • Rancho Grand Raid : with differential lock, winch and searchlight

Popular culture

A Talbot-Matra Rancho with the special equipment Grand Raid served as the “family carriage” in the internationally very successful La Boum films of 1980 ( La Boum ) and 1982 ( La Boum 2 ).

Present stock

As with most vehicles manufactured from the late 1970s through the early 1980s, the rust protection was poor. Together with the resulting high loss of value, the rust problems often led to a limited total service life of the vehicle of well under ten years, in addition to the high stress on the vehicle type in everyday use. In the mid-1990s, the rancho had largely disappeared from the street scene, despite the relatively high production number of around 56,000 copies. This was also due to the initially low popularity of the station wagon body with collectors.

Through the SUV boom of recent years and by the retro wave of the 1970s, the Rancho enjoying increasing popularity among collectors now back.

While a rancho in poor condition can be found for a purchase price under 1000 €, well-preserved copies are now so rare that they justify a purchase price in the five-digit range, which is still below the cost of a complete restoration of around 20,000 €.

Spare parts and club scene

The spare parts supply is unexpectedly good. Various dealers try to avoid gaps in the spare parts supply. Since the mechanics are largely identical to those of other Matra, Talbot and Simca models, a bottleneck is hardly to be expected in this regard. Even Rancho-specific body parts are still available.

Matra drivers find a lively club scene with numerous meetings in German-speaking countries. You are also welcome with a rancho at Simca and Talbot clubs.

Web links

Commons : Matra Simca Talbot Rancho  - Collection of Pictures, Videos and Audio Files