MATFORD / FRANCE

MATFORD / Strasbourg / France ( 1934 - 1939 ) 

Henry Ford wanted to set up automobile production in France and sought cooperation with Emile E.C. Mathis, who had been manufacturing his own vehicles in Strasbourg since 1905. The plant in Strasbourg, which opened in 1934, was an assembly plant under the management of Emile E.C. Mathis. In 1935, the “ALSACE” model with an American-made 8-cylinder engine was launched. In 1938, the “MATFORD 60” appeared, also with an 8-cylinder engine. The collaboration ended in 1939.

The brand name “MATFORD” is obviously a combination of Mathis and Ford.

That's why I'm starting with this photo, because the two red emblems exemplify the collaboration between Emile Mathis and Henry Ford:

There was a white and a red version of the emblem attached to the side of the hood. I don't know when each color was used. Do you know?

Size	16.7 cm x 8.0   cm
Year	1938 -39
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Size	16.7 cm x 8.0   cm
Year	1938 - 39
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The first Matford badge was given this beautifully design:

original MATFORD emblem  showing the name and six crowns

 

 

Size	16.7 cm x 8.0   cm
Year	1935-
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 This emblem was affixed to the front of an impressive radiator mascot:

 

 

 

Size	valuation for the mascot
Year	1935
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original with some damages

 

Size	16.7 cm x 8.0   cm
Year	1936
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 Repro made by "La boutique de l`Automobiliste", recognizable by the central mounting screw ( see backside photo)

 

 

This emblem bears the word “Alsace” in large letters and “MATFORD” in small letters, an interesting variation shown in 1935:

 

 

Size	16.7 cm x 8.0   cm
Year	1935
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1935 advertisement with badge ( On this model, the headlights are not integrated into the fenders! )

 

The corresponding FORD V8 was also assembled in Switzerland and was given its own emblem, which was based on the design of the French emblems:

One of my favorite emblems, partly because it is so extremely rare.

Size	c. 6.0 cm x 5.5 cm
Year	c. 1935
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I guess it is a trunk emblem, but I´m not sure

 

Size	16.7 cm x 8.0   cm
Year	1953 -
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1936 MATFORD for sale, seen in France in 2024

 

 In 1938 / 1939 the MATFORD had a quite simple mascot: a horizontal 8 in an arrow head:

my MATFORD exposition with mascot

 MATFORD also built trucks. In 1938 the truck had a tin emblem only:

 

Size	4.4 cm x 6.6 cm
Year	1938
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 For more emblems see older posts or top rigt ( list of car makers ).

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