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Matchless
Matchless were motorcycles produced from 1899 to 1945, and from
1987 to 1993.
The company was founded in Plumstead, London, by Harry and Charlie Collier,
who had started out producing bicycles and went on to establish one of
the most important British motorcycle firms.
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1899 The Collier Brothers first experimented with power. This machine had
the engine mounted above the front wheel.
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1901 They produced an experimental version whereby the engine was crammed
into the space between the seat tube and the rear wheel. This model was
not successful as it had a tendency to overheat in use.
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1902 They then went into production using a 2.75hp MMC
engine that was hung from the frame downtube. Both brothers became successfully
involved in competition.
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1904 Saw the arrival of a more powerful machine, fitted with a 3.5hp MMC
engine. They also produced a forecar
with either a De Dion or MMC
engine, and a pillion attachment for the solo.
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1905 They now added suspension to their machines and later that year they
produced a model fitted with a 6hp JAP
engine on a spring frame.
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1906 The forecar was dropped
and replaced by a rigid model with a 5hp Antoine
V-twin engine. Other models were produced using various engines - spring
frame with White
and Poppe; rigid frame with Antoine
and a spring frame ladies' model with a JAP.
That year also saw success in competition and both brothers were selected
for the International Cup Race.
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1907 At the very first TT race, Charlie Collier led from start to finish
and, until a valve broke late in the race, Harry lay second. The 3.5hp
Antoine
was replaced by a JAP.
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1908 Further revisions came along with a two-speed gear and a TT model
with an ohv engine similar to the one that won the TT. Further attempts
were made at the TT but without success, although Charlie broke the world
one-hour record riding at Brooklands.
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1909 Road models used JAP
engines - 2.5hp and 3.5hp singles and a 6hp V-twin. Rigid or spring frames,
two-speed gears and ignition options were available, while the 3.5hp White
and Poppe engine was also an option. Early in the year Harry set a
twenty-four hour record at Canning Town, averaging over 32mph/51kmh, despite
problems and delays. Further success came when Brooklands
began to run motorcycle races, and there was another win at the TT.
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1910 Compatition success continued and by now the brothers had taken three
of the first four races at the TT. The range expanded and the main engine
in use was the JAP,
along with some V-twin Peugeots.
Belt drive remained.
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1911 All models, including the 5hp V-twin ohv TT model, had JAP
engines. Harry came second in the first TT held on the Moun tain circuit,
and Charlie came second in the Senior but was later disqualified. That
was an end to the major successes at the TT.
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1912 and for the next few years, it was mainly twins, with some fitted
with a modified version of the ZenithGradua
gear to vary the ratio. Many models came and went and by the beginning
of the First World War, the range had narrowed considerably.
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1913-1917 For a list of the models and prices of cars see the 1917 Red
Book
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1913-1917 For a list of the models and prices of motorcycles see the 1917
Red Book
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1915 During the Great War, some machines were built for service use although
they were not contracted to make motorcycles for the army. They announced
proposals for a flat-twin, three speed engine, but nothing came of it.
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Post war. The company continued to produce the model they had supplied
to the army - this was listed as the Victory and sold in solo or
sidecar
form. New, bigger and better models were added year on year throughout
the 1920s.
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1931 Despite the depression, the company launched something special that
year - the Silver Hawk. It had a 592cc narrow-angle V4 engine with
a shaft-driven ohc. It remained on the list until 1935, but as a de luxe
model it was too costly to sell in any great number. The company then acquired
AJS.
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1936 There were major revisions that year and most of the inclined engine
models were replaced by the G-series.
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1937 The old V-twin engine was refreshed and was still used for sidecar
models. The company sold the engine to at least five other manufacturers
and also for the Morgan three-wheeler.
Matchless
purchased Sunbeam
and formed the AMC group.
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1939 Matchless now had twelve models in their range and all but
one twin were of the G-series. During World War II, Matchless
made 80,000 G3 and G3L models for the armed forces.
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1940 Fewer models were listed because the company were supplying machines
to the services - this was the G3 model.
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1941 The G3 became the G3L and a firm favourite within the
services. It was light, easy to manoeuvre and had telescopic front forks.
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1943 Although the AMC name remained,
the company sold Sunbeam
to
BSA.
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Post War. The fortunes of AJS and Matchless
had become closely intertwined.
-
1987 It had been many years since AMC
had failed, but the Matchless name returned to the market through
Les
Harris - who had also built the TriumphBonneville
after the close of Meriden.
This new, classically styled machine was the G80 and used a four-valve
Austrian Rotax engine. Although
the frame was British, many other parts came from Italy.
-
1990 Sales were slow, so the motorcycles were produced for special order
only.
National
Motorcycle Museum exhibits:-
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1952 Matchless 500cc Model G80
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1958 Matchless 593cc Sports Twin Model G11 CSR.
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1962 Matchless 500cc ohc model G50 CSR
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1951 Matchless 500cc Jampot Matchless
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1951 Matchless 500cc Model G9
Sources:
Graces
Guide
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Matchless Motorcycles
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