A little info about the anti-brd indicator: The anti-brd indicator lights up when a german car approaches, it stands for "anti bundesrepublik deutchland" and was a common feature in most french cars after WW2. The idea behind it was that the french driver would get a heads up when a traitor or enemy would show up in his BMW so you could dispose of him. Most of the early cars were fitted with flame throwers and leftover machineguns from ww2 but ever since the french signes the Geneva declaration the practice was outlawed and replaced mostly by throwing your baugette at the german cars or "baugettin" as they called it in France. The last car equipped with the ant-brd indicator was the 1977 year model of the Simca 1100 wagon(the sedan never had it)
+Amesie's Automotive Corner Weirder than the semi-conventional Sonett III - try finding a 2-stroke Saab Sonett II, or the Sonett V4 ! Four speed on the column, and free wheeling!
Matra DJet : very rare even on French roads by now. Thanks for showing! Matra also made missiles - the two manufacturing companies were separated. Other Matra cars : 3-front-seat Bagheras ...
perfect tiny car for a perfect tiny man. Dear Torch, I know that you love driving all kinds of strange automobiles. If you ever make it to Germany, please try the Melkus RS 1000, the Wartburg-powered central mounted sportscar of the Eastern-block. I have seen one IRL and it seems perfect for you; Bright orange, under powered and a mid mounted engine.
love the back window bit reminds me of my o9ld 78 Triumph 2.5 S estate car back door opening up when going over a bump and i had to attach a rope to pull & shut it before the next hump or bump came along, great fun !
Would have been nice to include some engine information in the text. Engine is the 1100cc four also used in the Renault R-8 if I understand correctly. OHV, putting out about 60 hp.
DUDE JALOPNIK FADE YOUR TRACKS! The popping every time you cut the sound bites really detours from a great video. Or it could be crappy mics but still...
Not once did you mention what kind of engine it has or how it cornered or how it stopped. I was half way through the video before I found out it was mid engine. Stop trying to be funny and witty and actually give us some specs on these cars.
+jtech87 a couple of different 4 bangers with 70 to about a 100 bhp from renault 8 and a 4 speed manual from a different renault. Altough i agree with you, i'd like a mention of those things in the video.
The box between the steering wheel and dash looks identical to those used in Renault R8s and R10s. Regardless, the turn signal lever you describe I have encountered in many French cars - instead of a ratcheting system of canceling which often prevents you from engaging the signal if the wheel is at a certain angle, they have a long thin coil spring that attaches to the top and bottom of the turn signal lever, and wraps around the steering column. The signal lever only has a strong detent at the center off position. So if you signal right and then proceed to turn right the spring is pulled by the steering column in the right direction - and it has enough slip to have no effect on the lever. As you start to turn the wheel left to straighten out after the turn it pulls the other way on the lever and it slides to the detent and stops in the off position. The same thing happens in the reverse direction for left turns. Very simple, you can latch it anywhere, and the main failure points I saw were A) ham fisted drivers acting like it was a steel pry bar instead of a small lever, B) I was at the shop once and a customer had gotten a piece of cloth into the spring and stretched it out of shape (took some work to do that as it was well covered) and C) when the plastic got old and brittle and the tang that held the spring broke off. On older models the entire thing was plastic and the handle would break after a few years.
cool little car, one of the very first mid engined sold on the market. it did cost more than the alpine, but was also a bit bigger. must have been very nimble compared to other cars on the road back then
In the mid 60's a Djet showed up at a track day at Atlantic city. The car was impressive and then they came into the pit to figure out why it wasn't running right. One spark plug wire was hanging loose. So it was being impressive on 3 cylinders 😂 I looked into buying one but I couldn't even find a dealer 😞
Could have at least mentioned this was the first mid-engined production road car. And some technical details would have been nice also, instead of a useless rant on crash safety.
+Hiway the djet had independant rear suspention, the GT did not. and it was heavier and slower :P one thing matters in the end: while one can afford a GT, the djet is waaay out of the common car guy budget. i'd love a twincam, 16 valve modern goodness powered GT tbh.
In the modern solution to things, is the roof folded back automatically and at the same time the hatch open and on electrical actuators, people would be drooling all over this
Yeah till something screwed up with it or with the sophisticated electronic computer controls to it, that are integrated in your touch screen display. Then you have a roof that won't come off. And you really can't work on this shit yourself. Nope-I prefer simple older cars myself
If you can get past the quirks, I reckon a properly sorted one could show a clean set of heels to some very expensive exotic racing hardware - especially in the wet. I mean it weighs less than the drivetrain alone from some vehicles, a well sorted engine (make sure you get the good Gordini one) and good suspension and tyres, you could probably beat AC cobras on tight twisty tracks (of course the driver mod) ..
You guys could try to find a brazilian Puma GTE (the best years are from '71 to '74) or a Volkswagen SP2. A "what it's like to drive" about them would be great. By the way, finding an SP2 in the USA would be an extremely hard work.
They are a big deal. Injuries at lower-speed crashes (city traffic) significantly went down after mandatory use became law in Europe talking about the 3-point design introduced in Europe, holding you to both parts of the seat).
At least if you crashed the car and got horns from the steering wheel and your arm destroyed by that shift knob your Venom Snake cosplay would be on point.
"If you own a Matra Djet, you just have to kinda accept the fact that it will be the coolest thing about you"
2:11 "I'm against BRD if you are buddy." lol
haha, Anti-brd stads for "Anti-Brouillard". It basically activates fog lights.
A little info about the anti-brd indicator: The anti-brd indicator lights up when a german car approaches, it stands for "anti bundesrepublik deutchland" and was a common feature in most french cars after WW2. The idea behind it was that the french driver would get a heads up when a traitor or enemy would show up in his BMW so you could dispose of him. Most of the early cars were fitted with flame throwers and leftover machineguns from ww2 but ever since the french signes the Geneva declaration the practice was outlawed and replaced mostly by throwing your baugette at the german cars or "baugettin" as they called it in France. The last car equipped with the ant-brd indicator was the 1977 year model of the Simca 1100 wagon(the sedan never had it)
Anti Brd > Anti brouillard, fog lights.
My favorite series from Jalopnik by far! Keep up the great work guys!
+computiNATEor I agree entirely, who can argue with pasta shoved into a steering wheel commentary?
+computiNATEor I subscribed to jalopnik just for these videos.
+computiNATEor I agree, Jason is a pleasure to watch. Something rare in car journalists these days. Thank god its not that Demuro guy.
This is one of the most beautiful cars I have ever seen.
Ondřej
Reminds me of pre Opel Monta and can see where lotus Elise/Exige got some of their curves.
Beautifully laid out interior! Simple and classic.
Come
Drive My
Saab Sonett Broh!
I vote YES! :)
+Amesie's Automotive Corner ya! my neighbor has one with a small block V8 in it and side pipes!!
+Amesie's Automotive Corner
Weirder than the semi-conventional Sonett III - try finding a 2-stroke Saab Sonett II, or the Sonett V4 ! Four speed on the column, and free wheeling!
+Amesie's Automotive Corner But is the sonnet a notoriously crap car?
Thee Adjudicator My 40 year old Sonett is the most reliable car I own at the moment lol.
But does it djent
+Richard Harrold first thing I thought of, I had to
Dropped a whole octave on my 7, except my strings are too thin for it
+Richard Harrold I'm hopefully getting new strings, pickups, and paint job for it soon, haven't had a chance in between car parts and pc parts
69 string bass
SEND BASS
Matra DJet : very rare even on French roads by now. Thanks for showing!
Matra also made missiles - the two manufacturing companies were separated.
Other Matra cars : 3-front-seat Bagheras ...
I love french cars, They have something I miss in other cars, but I don't know what.
Is it strange that I find that car very pretty
No it isn't, it is a very nice looking car.
perfect tiny car for a perfect tiny man.
Dear Torch, I know that you love driving all kinds of strange automobiles. If you ever make it to Germany, please try the Melkus RS 1000, the Wartburg-powered central mounted sportscar of the Eastern-block. I have seen one IRL and it seems perfect for you; Bright orange, under powered and a mid mounted engine.
Brd= shortened for "Brouillard" wich means Fog
"i'm against brd if you are buddy!"
Matra won a few times at Le Mans so I suppose they knew what they were doing.
2 things:
1: where do I store my baguette?
B: is the ride smooth enough as to not spill my glass of motering wine?
Anti Brd is anti-brouillard in french, this is anti-fog in english ;)
love the back window bit reminds me of my o9ld 78 Triumph 2.5 S estate car back door opening up when going over a bump and i had to attach a rope to pull & shut it before the next hump or bump came along, great fun !
But does it djet?
underrated comment
No, because it has to be tuned up. . . . . . .
How many s t r i n g s
Would have been nice to include some engine information in the text. Engine is the 1100cc four also used in the Renault R-8 if I understand correctly. OHV, putting out about 60 hp.
DUDE JALOPNIK FADE YOUR TRACKS! The popping every time you cut the sound bites really detours from a great video. Or it could be crappy mics but still...
+Matthew Ellena That's ok, I'm pretty sure he farted at the end, that kinda made up for it all. LOL
Having worked as an automotive engineer for french clients, I totally understand how they ended up having to drive with the rear boot open :))
This was pretty fun. Thanks for putting these up =)
Very beautiful car and the sounds it makes are fantastic!
Ditto: I too just subscribed to Jalopnik just for these videos. Love em
Not once did you mention what kind of engine it has or how it cornered or how it stopped. I was half way through the video before I found out it was mid engine. Stop trying to be funny and witty and actually give us some specs on these cars.
+jtech87 a couple of different 4 bangers with 70 to about a 100 bhp from renault 8 and a 4 speed manual from a different renault.
Altough i agree with you, i'd like a mention of those things in the video.
He's a critic. What do you expect?
These videos are really more about entertaining than informing, if you want to know about specs Google is what you should be going to.
...the first production mid engined car. Shit you not.
A spec sheet doesn't tell you how the car drives or feels.
my dream *.*
Djason Drives
Nice,classy, sports car,I love the wood dash/steering wheel and full guage layouts,bet it's a pleasure to drive.
Wouldn't the canopy open feature provide some air flow, from underpressure, taking hot air out of the car with the door windows closed?
That car is BRILLIANT!
The box between the steering wheel and dash looks identical to those used in Renault R8s and R10s. Regardless, the turn signal lever you describe I have encountered in many French cars - instead of a ratcheting system of canceling which often prevents you from engaging the signal if the wheel is at a certain angle, they have a long thin coil spring that attaches to the top and bottom of the turn signal lever, and wraps around the steering column. The signal lever only has a strong detent at the center off position. So if you signal right and then proceed to turn right the spring is pulled by the steering column in the right direction - and it has enough slip to have no effect on the lever. As you start to turn the wheel left to straighten out after the turn it pulls the other way on the lever and it slides to the detent and stops in the off position. The same thing happens in the reverse direction for left turns. Very simple, you can latch it anywhere, and the main failure points I saw were A) ham fisted drivers acting like it was a steel pry bar instead of a small lever, B) I was at the shop once and a customer had gotten a piece of cloth into the spring and stretched it out of shape (took some work to do that as it was well covered) and C) when the plastic got old and brittle and the tang that held the spring broke off. On older models the entire thing was plastic and the handle would break after a few years.
Does anyone else hear a really annoying buzzing in the video?
Loving these 'Jason Drives' videos :)
That Ow for Eau prononciation is keeping me awake.
Come on très cher !
Reminds me of a small version of an Opel.
It almost looked as if the rear hatch was a functional rear spoiler with the top down.
beautiful interior...
I really enjoy these videos
cool little car, one of the very first mid engined sold on the market. it did cost more than the alpine, but was also a bit bigger.
must have been very nimble compared to other cars on the road back then
"at least the gauges are indicated and its not just a bunch of moving needles"
In the mid 60's a Djet showed up at a track day at Atlantic city.
The car was impressive and then they came into the pit to figure out why it wasn't running right. One spark plug wire was hanging loose.
So it was being impressive on 3 cylinders 😂
I looked into buying one but I couldn't even find a dealer 😞
Absolutely fucking beautiful video Jason!! Kept me amused. Thanks Jalopnik.
That thing is awesome. I want one!
Could have at least mentioned this was the first mid-engined production road car.
And some technical details would have been nice also, instead of a useless rant on crash safety.
Beautiful car. Very similar to an Opal.
+Hiway I was thinking the same.
+Hiway I was thinking the same.
+Ali Ahadi my 9lder cousin had an Opal GT. it was never very fast, but it was smexy and fun to drive.
+Hiway the djet had independant rear suspention, the GT did not. and it was heavier and slower :P
one thing matters in the end: while one can afford a GT, the djet is waaay out of the common car guy budget.
i'd love a twincam, 16 valve modern goodness powered GT tbh.
Côme Thiburs Not sure why that matters, GT was a GT, lol. Can't we just appreciate awesome cars in general?
I'm usually picky with my car video commentators, but you actually seem very entertaining. Neat video.
Just drove in a convertible one today in the north west of France :)
In the modern solution to things, is the roof folded back automatically and at the same time the hatch open and on electrical actuators, people would be drooling all over this
Yeah till something screwed up with it or with the sophisticated electronic computer controls to it, that are integrated in your touch screen display.
Then you have a roof that won't come off. And you really can't work on this shit yourself. Nope-I prefer simple older cars myself
looks like a mix between a lotus evora and a 240z
it looks alot like a Ferrari Dino
I love these neat cars
If you can get past the quirks, I reckon a properly sorted one could show a clean set of heels to some very expensive exotic racing hardware - especially in the wet. I mean it weighs less than the drivetrain alone from some vehicles, a well sorted engine (make sure you get the good Gordini one) and good suspension and tyres, you could probably beat AC cobras on tight twisty tracks (of course the driver mod) ..
Simple solution is the best solution
The fart/pet at the end is the highlight
I'm glad you got a chance to drive the Bonnet DJet rather than the later Matra.
Gregory Timmons he is driving the Matra he even mentions it plus look at it it’s the later model.
Are you from Nashville, Jason?
Great little car, a real oddball.
This is a neat little car. I think I want one
Oh, the nasties don't get that Jason and many of us are having fun checking out the cool little cars of days gone by in and from faraway lands.
Looks like some bits of the Renault Alpine in it, I'll have to read up on it.
ha. Awesome. Love the hatch.
yellow charger on the left at 3:16
Old French fabulousness!
what a brilliant little car
Lovely, but Matra's racecars were a lot more exhilarating it seems. :)
Did I miss the part about the engine? What is it?
Stephen Bianchi Renault
Apart from rarity value, what's wrong with an MGB GT or Triumph GT6?
I love your pasta reference because its true the stalk loos so wongo.
An Essence gauge? I want that instead of my derpy mpg needle.
For hells sake!!! it's an old car, stop using modern comparisons
You guys could try to find a brazilian Puma GTE (the best years are from '71 to '74) or a Volkswagen SP2. A "what it's like to drive" about them would be great. By the way, finding an SP2 in the USA would be an extremely hard work.
i love this
That DS19 at 3:59!
This guy is a genius
this is so great.
Matra used to be in F1 in the 60 s and 70s so..
the rear reminds me of a Lancia Stratos, and the front, a bit of Renault Alpine A110.
What a gorgeous little car. Looks like a mix between a Ferrari 250 and an RX-7.
What sort of power does it have? Engine size? Price when new? Ever imported to the US when new? Is it even rare?
+civicex5speed 1.1 or 1.25 renault gordini engines sohv... this is what they called sporty in europe back then
Can I install a rocket bunny kit on it?, like the one on the BRZ
You don't wear a seatbelt?
+david dykeman There was not seat belt at that time in France
Nice stylish old car
Does the Djet djent?
So, seat belt is optional in this thing too ?
Rarely do you find them with seat belts
Neither my grandpa and my father had cars with seatbelts. They're not such a big deal. Just don't crash :D
Seat belts in the early 1960s were standard in Volvo cars, mandatory use followed 15 years later.
They are a big deal. Injuries at lower-speed crashes (city traffic) significantly went down after mandatory use became law in Europe talking about the 3-point design introduced in Europe, holding you to both parts of the seat).
Next up, we have a Fradalake expadaed (France's Cadillac Escalade)
The Matra looks like the the love child of a Saab Sonnet and a Opel GT
Is that you paul simon?
I think it is beautiful! I wouldn't mind having one. :)
Gorgeous. I want one!
Reminds me of a Melkus RS1000
That's an awesome little car. Looks like the cockpit of an English plane from the 30s.
I want one.
Well, I want one now.
At least if you crashed the car and got horns from the steering wheel and your arm destroyed by that shift knob your Venom Snake cosplay would be on point.
Instruments by Jaeger-Lecoultre... You just don't see that anymore.
It reminds of an Opel, but much cooler.
Show us the freaking engine!!!