The first Djet was a mid-engined prototype raced at Le Mans in 1962, powered by the new Gordini engine. A few weeks later, René-Bonnet presented a road-legal version : it was the first mid-engined road car in History...

With its racing car design the Djet was a breakthough, the Birth of a new Breed of GT, followed by the De Tomaso Vallelunga, then by the Ferrari Dino, and by the Lamborghini Miura...the Djet mid-engine concept gave birth to all modern supercars.

The production of the Djet was continued by Matra-Sports after René-Bonnet failed. Matra became then famous with three Le Mans victories, and Jackie Stewart's Formula 1 World Champion title in 1969 with the Cosworth-powered Matra MS80.

This remarkable 2-seater GT is powered by a Renault-Gordini engine with big valves, hemispheric combustion chambers, hot cams, and delivering close to 100 BHP...same power as the 1963 Alpine-Renault, but in the Alpine, engine is behind the rear wheels - not quite as sexy. A true road-legal prototype, the Djet VS has a lightweight glassfibre bodywork, and an aerodynamic and spectacular shape. In 1966, it cost three times the price of a middle-class sedan, and one of the very few Sports Cars to claim a top speed of 200 km/h..

Our example is one of the handful of survivors (only 355 built), authentic, in excellent condition and matching colours and engine ; is was sold new in France in March 1966. Sold new in the South of France, it has had three previous owners, the last one having kept this Djet for 17 years.

A frame-off restoration of chassis and bodywork has been done in the late nineties, all orignal parts being kept and overhauled. More recently the engine was completely rebuilt, and the engine has very few km.

Contrary to modified examples, our Djet VS has not been tampered with: engine, gearbox, transmission, suspension, interior and all elements are un-modified, authentic and in excellent working condition.

Our example is fitted with very rare Factory options :

- Moto-Lita wooden steering wheel,
- Rear boot hooks for "semi-open" position (useful to improve cockpit refreshment in very hot days)
- Two-tone horn
- Bullet-shaped chrome rear-view mirror

The car is still with its original, extremely rare tinted sunshades, and with its chrome wheel caps and distinctive aluminum alloy butterfly nuts.

After the restoration, this Djet VS has received written congratulations of Georges and Michel Bonnet, sons of René Bonnet, for the quality and integrity of this fine automobile. Included in the history file is a copy of the Matra Factory logbook stating the chassis number, date and place of delivery, and original Blue colour.

Gordini-powered Djets are by far the best version of all Djets, not to be confused with the simple Renault-powered (not Gordini) Djets, 30 % less powerful, and also more common and much less sought-after.

The Djet VS Gordini, as "the mother" of all mid-engined GT cars, made History ; this is a unique opportunity to acquire an important Classic Gran Turismo. The race-car looks and driving sensations of the Matra Djet VS are close to the Le Mans prototype, with its wonderful Gordini engine.

The Djet is of course eligible to many international events (Tour de France, Sebring, Monte-Carlo, etc.).
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