Matchless! Instead of the usual Triumph Moto to be seen on here’s our actor-fella Guy Pearce with a classic G80.
He’s been a soap actor, amnesiac, time traveller, an abdicated king and a drag queen. Versatile; like the single 500cc. It was raced, scrambled, toured, combined, and hacked… All good two wheeled malarkey! It’s a shame the 60 odd year old company went under.
On this matter I really MUST speak.
Not of our thespian, very good tho’ he is.. but of the AMC group and Matchless.
MATCHLESS.. unmatched by any other..
What a FABULOUS name for ANYTHING really.. but a motorcycle company.. WOW !!
Sadly Amc was one of the first to fold under the early 60’s onslaught of the Japanese invaders.. whose products, then lightweight models, were soooo superior to those of the UK producers.
But AMC gave us what is widely regarded as the most beautiful bicycle ever made available to public buyers [as opposed to works bikes].. the AJS 7R, which in turn begat the simply glorious Matchless G50. Deep joy..
[When I win the Euro lottery..? I’m going to get dear Fred Walmsley to build me a road-going G50.. and when not in use.. it can live in the house with me and I’ll sit and have a coffee with it. I might even start smoking again.. just to be sociable like.. with the coffee and all..]
It is and remains for me.. just the best. The Matchless G50.
And Now where is Matchless.?
Sadly, like Belstaff, a bunch of Italian fashionistas have bought the name and they intend to take it “UPMARKET”.. whatever that means.? Range Rover anyone..
I have horrible visions of what became of Morini and other lovely Italian companies. For all Piaggio’s money, they have done Moto Guzzi.. historically, one of the motorcycle worlds great names.. absolutely NO favours.. in many ways they are lucky to still be in business.
UPMARKET..!! Gawd help us all.
Regards ever
WF
CARLISLE UK
geordiebiker.com 