1924 Mathis Type PM Trefle Tourer

Emile Mathis successfully produced motor cars from 1905 until the 1950s but they were never sold extensively in the UK. The right hand drive ‘Type PM’ however was made for the British market; the sole concessionaries in the 1920s was The British Motor Trading Corporation Ltd of 132, Long Acre, London.

The PM is equipped with a 8/10cv or 8.9 RAC hp four cylinder Monobloc engine and unusually, a four forward speed gearbox with central ball change. The engine shares its oil with the wet clutch and gearbox and is circulated to them by scoops on the flywheel and con-rods via a series of trays and oilways (which does away with oil pressure failure!). The PM also has a solid back axle and two rear wheel brakes: the foot brake operates the near-side and the handbrake operates the off-side. With some practice, the new driver will adjust to these particular features with ease. Cooling is by a thermo-syphon. The Mathis has three leather seats (a slab driver and passenger plus one seat at the rear, hence ‘Trefle’ or ‘Cloverleaf’) and the overall length is 11’.

This particular example was sold on the 20^th of August 1924 to a Mr George Birbeck, as documented in the original RF12 registration book included in the file.

The current custodian purchased the PM from The Automobile Magazine in August 2013 and instructed a complete restoration at immense cost, which we are told included work to the engine, gearbox, clutch, starter motor, carburettor and magneto, together with the fitting of new brake drums and linings. The bodywork has also been restored and the motor car is equipped with a new hood and new upholstery.

The history file contains the aforesaid RF12 registration book, two RF60s, an RF60A and the current V5C registration certificate, together with a large quantity of invoices, correspondence, technical data, copies of road test reports (including ‘The Autocar’, ‘The Light Car and Cycle Car’ and ‘The Auto’), a photocopy of an original French sales brochure, starting instructions, an original handbook for the very similar ‘Type MY’ and the July 1997 edition of The Automobile, in which NT 4912 is featured.

We understand there to be only one other (unrestored) Type PM in the UK at present, making this charming example a very rare and desirable motor car.

SOLD