Upgraded with a professionally built 4.6-litre Rover V8 gems engine, TVR five-speed manual gearbox, limited-slip diff, roll cage, and genuine Minilites
The last press car built by Gilbern
~230 BHP and ~1,110 kg kerb weight
Chassis restored by marque specialist Phil Ivimey
Engine dismantled, tested, refreshed and rebuilt by RPI engineering in 2025
Striking Gulf livery applied (C&C green roundels are easily removable if desired)
Represented Car & Classic at numerous events, including Shelsley Walsh, Prescott, Shere Hill and Kop Hill
In the previous owner's care for approximately 20 years
Over £27,000 spent during previous ownership and over £10,000 spent in current ownership
Custom made Stainless Steel exhaust system by competition fabrications
New Stainless steel twin fuel tanks
Spax adjustable suspension
Lovely history file going back to the 1970's
The Appeal
Wales may well be best known for Rugby Union, castles, male voice choirs, collieries, and a rather left-field approach to cheese on toast, but what you probably don't know is that England's westerly Celtish neighbours were also responsible for some fine motor cars.
The story of Gilbern deserves more time in the spotlight as a lesser-known chapter in the British motor industry. Wales' one and only car manufacturer, this small firm was started by butcher Giles Smith and German fibreglass engineer Bernard Friese. During the company's short history, in which just over 1,000 cars were ever built, Gilbern was responsible for some exceedingly accomplished designs. The Invader is the best-known and most celebrated of the bunch, an evolved, better-equipped version of the Gilbern Genie, with upgraded chassis and, on later models, Ford running gear.
The Mk3 had its production run cut short by the company's closure in 1974, and here we have what was Gilbern's very last press car. As the photographs attest, this example is anything but ordinary. "Gilly" boasts some serious performance, having had her drivetrain upgraded with a bored-out 4.6-litre Rover V8 producing in the region of 230 bhp. With this glass fibre car weighing in at just ~1,100 kilos, it becomes a serious pocket rocket! And it doesn't stop there. That highly-tuned engine is mated with a TVR-sourced five-speed manual gearbox, putting all that power down via a limited-slip differential, spinning a set of genuine Minilite alloy wheels. The roll cage isn't just there for show...
After approximately 20 years of ownership, a marque specialist restored the chassis and upgraded the drivetrain with a Rover V8 and TVR gearbox. The current owner bought the car in 2021 and has since invested in a striking Gulf-livery respray, a freshly finished interior, custom made Stainless Steel exhaust system by competition fabrications, Larger radiator with twin electric fans, modified bonet hinges & vents, new Stainless steel twin fuel tanks and a comprehensive engine rebuild.
The vendor notes the paintwork has the odd imperfection but describes this as probably the most photographed Gilbern in existence. It's not difficult to see why!image.png1.38 MB
Paperwork: comprehensive paperwork file spanning work completed and modifications over approximately the past 25 years plus hand written diary’s of its ownership and personal letters. Photo's now added to the listing
Engine swapped to a Rover 4.6-litre V8 with a TVR five-speed gearbox during previous ownership
Engine dismantled, tested, and rebuilt in 2025 (paperwork in the newly added photo's shows details of what was done)
New cooling system fitted with a larger radiator and twin fans
Chassis restored by marque specialist Phil Ivimey during previous ownership
Exterior sprayed in Gulf livery approximately two years ago at a cost of £5,500
Paintwork presents very well for a fibreglass car, but is noted as not having a flawless finish, with the odd bit of crazing
Smart chromework; light wear upon close inspection
The vendor describes the retrimmed interior as smart and comfortable; Gulf stripes carried over to door trims
Factory electric windows
Minilite alloy wheels fitted
Uniroyal tyres
Custom made Stainless Steel exhaust system by competition fabrications
New Stainless steel twin fuel tanks
Roll cage installed
The chassis presents well and appears well-protected (it can be studied in the photographs)
Clean and tidy V8 engine installation
The vendor describes the car as "fast and fun to drive when needed, but also comfortable and happy to cruise down the motorway. We've had 5 glorious years enjoying Gilly the Gilbern, but another unfinished project will be taking our time and resources going forward so its time for the next chapter for Gilly"
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