Highlights
- Factory-built Gilbern Genie in very good order throughout
- One of only 197 examples produced
- Full body restoration carried out a few years ago
- Original buff logbook and stacks of bills
- Stored in a heated showroom since 2022
- Has been lightly re-commissioned ready for sale
- Chosen by Car & Classic to represent Wales in the Queens Jubilee line up along the Long mile in June 2022
The Appeal
Now, here's a rare wolf in sheep's clothing.
Gilbern may not be a household name, but they're well worthy of recognition. Set up by German POW, Bernard Friese, along with his local village butcher, Giles Smith, the marque first set up shop in the tiny little Church Village (Pentre'r Eglwys), just outside of Pontypridd.
Bernard Friese had an excellent working knowledge of composite plastics, and a real engineer's mindset - but he wasn't really a man seeking to become an automotive magnate. No, he started Gilbern from his own aspirations for a one-off, single one-and-done car that he could drive daily and occasionally take on the odd cheeky hillclimb. It was only through his partner and racing driver Peter Cottrell that the commercial potential was realised, and they started shifting kit-cars of the Gilbern GT. Soon enough, they started assembling fully fitted out cars for higher prices, but it wasn't to last.
Originally based upon the BMC's collection of four-cylinder engines, the penny-pinchers in Longbridge put an end to the production Gilbern GT before it really got its legs, so the company ditched the four-pot and got to work on this - the Genie. Available with a few different sizes of Ford 'Essex' V6, this upmarket car was quite the potent performer. Built at a former colliery site in Llantwit Fardre, the Genie was capable of 120mph, and could - so the team claimed - be assembled at home in a single weekend. Or you could pay an assembly fee and get it fully assembled and ready to go.
Lightweight, with much of the fibreglass body in a single component, the Genie completely exceeded kit-car expectations and created a small but impactful phenomenon. Only around 197 were produced, which makes this car rarer than hen's teeth. It's well-worthy of your attention, and has spent its recent years taking pride-of-place in a heated showroom.
Supplied with its original buff logbook, an impressive stack of bills, and recently recommissioned for the road, we're sure this car is going to garner plenty of well-deserved admiration. Not one to be missed!
The History and Paperwork
- Registered in 1968
- The DVLA records 4 previous keepers
- Restored a few years ago by a previous keeper
- In current ownership since 2022
- Stored in a heated showroom over the current tenure
- Currently indicates 62,645 miles on a five-figure odometer
- Original buff logbook included
- Comprehensive history with stacks of bills
- Plenty of handbooks, manuals and handwritten notes
- Lightly re-commissioned ready for sale
The Condition
- Bodywork appears in very good order - Please note it had come straight from the wash bay and was wet when photographed
- No sign of any cracks or splits in the fibreglass
- Paintwork looks smart and well-maintained
- Brightwork is casing a lovely contrast
- Badges and branding all present and correct
- Wire-spoke wheels are in good order, and represent the model's BMC heritage
- This also marks it as a rarer, earlier car - the first 40 of the Genie still carried an Austin-Healey rear axle
- It was only after this that the marque introduced its own alloys
- Tyres are in fine fettle
- Underside is solid, with some surface patina
- Tan vinyl upholstery is all in excellent order
- Dashboard is clean and well-presented
- Some patina and wear to the padded centre console
- Controls and instrumentation appear functional and well-preserved
- Carpets look in good order
The Mechanics
- 3-litre Ford Essex V6 powerplant
- Manual transmission with optional overdrive
- Engine bay is in good overall order
- We understand the mechanics to have been little-used post restoration but it did complete a 150 mile round trip for the Queens jubilee celebrations in June 2022 not missing a beat.
- The car has been recently recommissioned for the road
- As a result the vendor is confident in its mechanical condition and has no issues to report
This sale is subject to the Car & Classic Terms and Conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer, you also agree to the following:
✓ The seller is registered as a private seller which means consumer rights stemming from EU consumer protection law do not come into effect. However, you are still covered by Car & Classic’s own Terms and Conditions..
✓ We request that a non-refundable fee be paid if you are the lucky winning bidder at auction or if your offer is accepted Please refer to our helpful FAQs and T&Cs for specific rates.
✓ This vehicle is “Sold As Seen”, on an “As Is Where Is’ basis and without warranty. Photos and descriptions are solely for guidance purposes and it's customary to carry out a full inspection of the vehicle prior to purchase for your own peace of mind.
✓ VAT is included in the buyer's fee. VAT may or may not be included in the final bid or offer price, as specified in the listing.
✓ We want a smooth transaction just as much as you do and as such we run all UK-registered cars and motorbikes for sale on Car & Classic through an online HPI check to verify that they show no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and have no finance owing, allowing you to bid with confidence.
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or delivery. Importing vehicles may result in additional customs duties and import taxes so it’s worth checking beforehand..
