The Matra was a BMA style motorised bicycle built from 1939 until the end of the 40s.
The company was formed by Urbach László (b. 1904) who was a champion motorcycle racer in the 1920s and 30s. He established a motorcycle dealership in 1930 selling FN, BSA, Sarolea, BMW and Triumph (TWN). He began preparing plans for his own machines in the mid-1930s but fascism took root and the markets began to falter.
Notwithstanding, the Mátra brand was launched in 1939 with 100 and 123cc machines. [1] That year they entered and won the Hungarian Grand Prix.
In 1944 Urbach was removed from his position due to political pressure. He returned early the following year and began construction of a three-wheeler. Again the political forces came into play, this time from the extreme left, and once more Urbach was ousted. Production faltered then ceased entirely in the late 1940s.
Notes: 1. Tragatsch says engines of 98cc and 198cc were sourced from Ardie and Sachs.
Sources: Article at magyarjarmu.hu by Pál Négyesi. Tragatsch p205.
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