Beschreibung:

Three Collier brothers, Charlie, Harry and Burt, the latter of whom was killed in a testing accident, ran the Matchless company, whose evocative name dated to 19th Century bicycle manufacture. The firm’s successes began early, with Charlie winning the first Isle of Man Tourist Trophy in 1907 followed by similar results by brother Harry in 1909 and another win by Charlie in 1910. During the 1930s, the Collier’s took Matchless public and bought AJS. The combined company was named Associated Motorcycles in 1936. The Triumph Speed Twin was introduced before World War II and BSA and Ariel also introduced twins shortly after hostilities ceased. Matchless joined the others in 1949, with their G9 model, a 500cc vertical twin with three main bearings. The G9 featured Teledraulic forks, which had been introduced by Matchless just before the war. They had been hailed as the first big motorcycle suspension advance in 25 years. The engine grew over the years – 550cc in 1954 (G9B), 600 in 1956 (G11) and 650 (G12) in 1958. The G11 was featured in a promotional run that resulted in that model becoming the first British bike with full road equipment to pack 100 miles into an hour at the MIRA proving grounds. The final iteration of the big, sports Matchless was the 650cc G-12. This model had a tuned suspension and the chromed, sports fenders seen on the offered example. The odometer shows mileage of 37,113. This G-12 is not in running condition but as a near-complete specimen of a mid-60s classic British sporting twin, it awaits a restoration. Matchless is a name that stretches back to the dawn of motorcycling and after the merger of AMC into Norton Villers in 1966, Matchless faded into history as a nameplate marque fitted with a Norton engine. This G12 series was among the last made in Matchless’ historic plant in the Plumstead area of London, south of the Thames. Without reserve