Techies’ Delight – Courtesy of Matheson Motors

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Mechanics, technicians, engineers and all you other technical enthusiasts – this one’s for you. These drawings and photographs, once again sourced from the New York Public Library’s digital archives, offer some fascinating insights into the Matheson Motor Car Company (1903–1913). Or rather, into its products. Were they taken from a brochure? Possibly – but if so, certainly not from just any sales catalogue. These illustrations reveal details that even the most seasoned motorist of the day might never have known.

Matheson aimed firmly at the luxury end of the market. The Matheson brothers, Charles and Frank, had joined forces with engineer Charles G. Greuter of the Holyoke Motor Works, who had designed an advanced overhead-valve engine with exposed valves. A racing car fitted with this engine set a world record in September 1906, covering a mile in just 50 seconds. The Matheson works team even included none other than Louis Chevrolet in 1908.

But perhaps the racing programme consumed too much money. By 1909 the factory had moved several times and had already seen two different chief engineers succeed Greuter. Financial difficulties forced Matheson into receivership in 1910. A reorganisation followed, but it was not enough to keep the 400-strong workforce employed. By early 1913, the company’s assets were sold off in a bankruptcy sale. Both Matheson brothers would later return to the motor industry in other roles, but the car that bore their name was consigned to history.

Looking at these plans and drawings, though, one can’t help but wonder – could things have turned out very differently?

Words: Jeroen Booij
Pictures: New York Public Library

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