Fully Restored
1922 Mathis 8/15CV Coach
Registration no. SV 8080
Chassis no. 15973

Founded in Strasbourg in 1898, Mathis built only a handful of prototypes in its early years, subsequently manufacturing Ettore Bugatti's Hermes designs around 1904-1905 before introducing its first 'own-design' production car in 1910. The latter was a conventional 2-litre, four-cylinder sidevalve but Emile Mathis' reputation would be founded on a range of much smaller cars, commencing with the 1,132cc Babylette and 1,300cc Baby. Mathis continued to introduce larger models after WWI but it was the success of his light cars that enabled the company to claim fourth place among French manufacturers by the mid-1920s behind Renault, Citroën, and Peugeot.

One of the earliest embodiments of the currently fashionable 'microcar' concept, this charming two-seater 'coach' is powered by a 1,132cc four-cylinder sidevalve engine and - like all Mathis products - has a four-speed gearbox. The car formed part of an important Swiss private collection for many years before being re-commissioned and acquired by celebrated collector, the late Terry Cohn, in May 1999. (The Beaulieu Encyclopedia of the Automobile (Volume 2, page 972) contains a picture of an apparently identical Mathis 8/15, which may be this actual car).

While in Terry Cohn's ownership, the car was mechanically restored by RAS Services, Fleet and Malcolm Collinson, Farnham. Terry Cohn sold the Mathis to a Mr M Bell in the Isle of Man who then sold it via Sussex Sports cars to the current owner, VSCC stalwart and highly respected motoring journalist, Ronald 'Steady' Barker. Having purchased it in August 2010, 'Steady' used the car infrequently, a solitary light car rally being the only significant outing. The Mathis was then sold to a Mrs Mary Morris, who commissioned recognised specialists Thornley Kelham to undertake a comprehensive 'last nut and bolt' restoration with no expense spared. For improved ease of use, a more modern gearbox was installed during the rebuild (original with car). Completed in 2015, the restoration cost over £100,000 (bills on file).

Purchased by the current vendor in 2018, the car has seen little use in the last year and is reported as running very well and easy to drive (although the brakes leave a little to be desired). Always the centre of attention when taken out, this lovely little Mathis is offered with a substantial history file containing a comprehensive photographic record of Thornley Kelham's restoration work, assorted correspondence, a quantity of marque-related literature, expired MoTs, SORN paperwork, and a current V5C document. Rare and charismatic, this delightful French miniature would be the perfect companion on events run by the VSCC's Light Car and Edwardian Section.