In 1938, László Urbach, the successful motorcycle racer, started to design and produce small 100 cc motorcycles, within his own workshop. The successful two-stroke engine achieved 3 horsepower and its consumption did not exceed 1,5 litres per 100 kms. The MATRA offered a number of new, unconventional features. The use of telescopic front forks and a telescopic sprung saddle were both uncommon in those days. By 1942, some 2,000 of these small motorcycles had been assembled, including a 125cc version. While originally designed for standard road use, MATRA motorcycles gained a good reputation on the racetrack, a promising feature that could not be fully demonstrated because of the Second World War.