In 1930 Durant struck a deal with the French car maker S.A. Mathis to build and sell one of its cars in America.
On this page: History · Literature
History
The car was to be built at Durant’s Lansing, Michigan plant with a production target of 100,000 cars, and the deal was seen as a terrific opportunity for Mathis to enter the American market. Durant announced the plan in August 1930. While the car was heavily promoted, Durant ran out of money before production could begin. Mathis continued to be successful in France for many years.
American Mathis (1931)
Promoted as “The Wonder Car”, the 1931 Mathis (pronounced “May-theece”) boasted “remarkably quick acceleration”, “a wide comfortable seat”, “great stability on the road” and “superior economy”. The small car was based on the Mathis 7 CV type PY sold in France. Durant planned two models, a coupe and a sedan, with a 30 horsepower four-cylinder engine on a 96 inch chassis, priced at $455 f.o.b. Lansing.
Sales literature
Literature known to the club. Click a picture to enlarge it.
Sales brochures and folders
1931
Mathis 1931 sales literature, A-31-901
Mathis 1931 sales literature, A-31-902
Related pages
Sources: Baldwin, Georgano, Sedgwick and Laban, The World Guide to Automobile Manufacturers, p. 899; Durant Family Registry, Durant’s Standard vol. 21 no. 1; original Mathis literature.