Description
National Motorcycle Museum | Solihull, West Midlands
Viewing: Tues 27th October from 1pm
Auction: Wed 28th October from 10am
Location: National Motorcycle Museum, Coventry Road, Bickenhill, Solihull B92 0EJ
Registration No: HSJ 774
Frame No: 5235C
MOT: Exempt
A very well-presented survivor from the heyday of motorcycle trials
Evidence of past restoration work
Ideal for pre-’65 trials after recommissioning
Matchless was one of the oldest British motorcycle marques, manufactured in Plumstead, London, between 1899 and 1966. A wide range of models was produced, ranging from small two-strokes to 750cc four-stroke twins. The marque had a long history of racing success with a Matchless ridden by Charlie Collier winning the first single-cylinder race in the first Isle of Man TT in 1907. An amalgamation with AJS in 1931 formed Associated Motor Cycles which continued until the group’s closure in the mid-’60s.
Matchless introduced its overhead-valve 350cc single-cylinder G3 model in the 1930s, but it would reach the peak of its popularity through the ’50s and ’60s, when it had been significantly modernised. The G3/ L (Lightweight) military variant became an indispensable asset during the 1939-45 war and was celebrated for introducing telescopic forks when almost everything else used girders. Postwar G3s gained a swinging-arm rear in 1951 and an aluminium cylinder head in 1951. The popularity of demobbed G3/ Ls with trials riders gave rise to the purpose-made G3LC trials model, with knobbly tyres, alloy mudguards, a lightweight tank and an upswept exhaust.
Offered from a deceased estate, this G3LC is believed to be an original trials bike and its late owner rode it many historic events over the years. A dating letter from Classic Services states its year of manufacture as 1955. Having been out of action for some time—it appears to have last been on the road in 2011—it will require recommissioning before it returns to pre-’65 trials. It is supplied with a V5C, which states the displacement as 500cc.
** Bidding will take place live at the venue, online via our H&H website, by telephone and commission - T&Cs apply**
Entry by catalogue and can be purchased for £20 (admits 2 people)
