Porsche 911

Lustrerie Mathieu celebrates a legend

For the 60th anniversary of the Porsche 911, car collector Régis Mathieu tells the epic tale of this iconic car through a remarkable exhibition in his lighting showrooms in Gargas. 

It’s the only car that can do an African safari, the 24-Hour Le Mans, take you to the theatre and drive around the streets of New York.“ That’s how Ferdinand Porsche described the 911. On 12 September 1963, at the Frankfurt IAA Motor Show, the German carmaker Porsche unveiled its new model, intended to take over from the 356 and named the 901. But Peugeot claimed copyright over all model names in three figures with a zero in the middle, so the 901 was renamed 911 for its market launch a few months later. The 130hp engine, with 6 horizontal air-cooled cylinders, gave it a top speed of 130mph – quite an achievement at the time. It was an immediate hit. In 1966 it took part in the 24-Hour Le Mans race for the first time. That was the birth of a legend, and numerous versions of the 911 have since been produced.

Showcase for a legend

Régis Mathieu is a man with two passions, chandeliers and Porsches. They both satisfy his taste for beauty, luxury and excellence. He vowed to hold the first exhibition commemorating the 60th anniversary of the 911, right in his chandelier showroom in Gargas.

Why put cars and chandeliers in the same place?  It’s an unusual idea, but it reveals this great collector’s perception of beauty. He has been running the family lighting business while indulging his growing passion for Porsches for 25 years now. He points out the timeless outlines and simplicity of the Porsche design. In his showrooms, the beautiful, gleaming machines meet the serenity that flows from the lights floating in the darkness above.

From the Mathieu Lustrerie buildings, which once housed an ochre factory, you can wander over to see the old ochre quarries and settling lagoons. The exhibition promises to be outstanding. Every generation of 911s will be on show, with the spotlight on unusual models. The very first S, the RS and RSR models, the S turbos and racing models, cars less familiar to the public. Lit by the historic chandeliers they will look splendid as never before. A magical show.

Mathieu lustrerie
432 route de Croagnes, hameau des Sauvans, Gargas
Exposition du 16 décembre au 22 janvier 2023
Visite de nuit de 17 h à 21 h
Tél. 04 90 74 92 40