A 1931 Mathis motorcar, which was hidden in France during World War II, will be offered for sale by Silverstone Auctions at the Silverstone Classic taking place on 29th to 31st July.
The now rare and collectible Mathis PY 7CV has spent the last 72 years behind lock and key at a Chateau in Northern France, having been concealed from the invading German forces who stripped the area of valuable collectibles in the early 1940s.
After years in isolation, the sleeping Mathis motorcar was discovered by the current owner in 2014, who purchased it alongside two other cars found in the private collection. The time-warp Mathis had never been moved from its secure hiding place and until recently remained sat on blocks.
Today, over eight decades after it was manufactured, it is an extremely rare and authentic example of the French marque which was founded by Émile Mathis in 1910. His contemporary, the young Ettore Bugatti designed two models for him that were marketed under the brand Hermes, before their careers took different paths. The Mathis factory in Strasbourg went on to became the fourth largest in France, making more than 20,000 cars in 1927, with Citroën being the main competition, before eventually closing in 1950.
This 1931 barn-find example proves to be in remarkable preserved condition upon inspection, showing no substantial rust, with the only deterioration being age related, having stood still in time. Now transported to the United Kingdom, the Mathis will be offered on the open market at auction for the first time ever, without reserve.
Speaking ahead of the auction, Nick Whale, managing director of Silverstone Auctions, said “This is such an exciting discovery. The car appears to be very authentic, and it’s extremely rare to find one in such preserved condition. Sadly there’s no paper work with the car other than a wonderful period photograph, but its story and the life this car has lived make it very special indeed.”
Presented in black and green paintwork with a grey cloth interior and black soft top, the period car has covered just over 25,000 miles in its 85 years of life.
Auction review..
Silverstone Auctions returns once again to the Silverstone Classic with three days of auctions with 143 race and road cars to go under the hammer on Thursday 28th to Sunday 31st July.
With a dedicated race car sale, a two-day classic road car sale offering a huge variety of cars, as well as an extensive selection of collectible automobilia and luxury lifestyle items, Silverstone Auctions are set to host their biggest ever sale with a total of 450 lots.
Headlining the competition car sale is a 1981 Porsche 924 Carrera GTR race car which has covered just 109 kilometres from new. One of only 17 examples made, it is the most original Porsche Silverstone Auction has ever seen and will be offered with a sale estimate between £475,000 and £575,000.
A 1958 Lotus Elite Series I first owned by the jazz legend Chris Barber and with an incredible race history, is estimated at £75,000 to £100,000. Today the car has just emerged from a top quality, exacting restoration carried out by Ant Anstead’s team at Evanta Motors. Amazingly, the car will compete in a race at the Silverstone Classic before heading to the auction hall to be sold.
Another incredibly sought after British sportscar, a 1961 Jaguar E-Type Series 1 Roadster, Chassis #62, one of the ‘missing’ early examples of the model, will go to auction with a sale estimate of between £140,000 and £170,000.
There’s also a highly collectible car on offer for Ferrari and football fans alike. A 2000 Ferrari 550 Maranello, formerly owned by the great Sir Geoff Hurst MBE, will be offered on the anniversary of the England team’s World Cup win in 1960, with a sale estimate of £120,000 to £150,000. Silverstone Classic visitors will also be able to watch a screening of a special car football match to mark the occasion.
Another celebrity owned car is a 1984 Audi Quattro first owned by Nigel Mansell CBE. This very nicely restored Quattro is offered for sale with a copy of the Isle of Man registration document in Mansell’s name, as well as a copy of Audi Driver magazine, on which it graced the front cover in January 2016. Every inch the 1980’s icon, the car is expected to achieve £25,000 to £30,000 at auction.
Another of the most appealing cars on offer is a restored 1958 AC Ace Bristol, still with its original ‘D’ series unit engine, mated to its original gearbox, with the all-important overdrive. Ready for rallying, racing or road use, the car has a sale estimate of £165,000 to £185,000.
Those looking for a new project can pick up an impressive 1948 Buick Roadmaster Convertible barn find. The restoration is one for the brave with this flamboyantly styled car offered without reserve.
Viewing of the lots will be available all day on Thursday 28th July before the Race Car Sale at 18:30. Viewing continues on Friday, with the two-day road car sale taking place on Saturday 30th and Sunday 31st from 12:30.
To find out more about the 1931 Mathis and the Silverstone Classic Sale, please visit http://www.silverstoneauctions.com/mathis-py-7cv.
