1967 Greeves Challenger


Further Photos

Estimate: (£) 4,000 - 5,000


Reg Number:N/A
Frame Number:36MX4C181
Engine Number:GPB138
Body Colour:Green
Cc:362
MOT ExpiryDate:N/A
Bert Greeves Invacar Company, financed in 1952 by a government contract to produce vehicles for the disabled, had within two years diversified into motorcycle production and already had a range of bikes on show at Earls Court that year, the Essex works displaying the first twin cylinder two stroke Anzani engined Fleetwing model, 3 and 4 speed models and a scrambler. After 1956 almost exclusively by then using Villiers engines vastly improved by the attentions of new Competitions Manager and Development engineer Brian Stonebridge, the firm was set for a few golden years of off road competition success. After the tragic demise of Stonebridge in a 1959 road accident this continued under control of Dave Bickers and by 1962 eleven high powered lightweights were available, mainly sporting twin road bikes, trials and scrambles versions and the highly successful Silverstone race machinery. The scrambler was developing and in the mid 60's became the Challenger until replaced by the Griffon motocrosser in 1969.

The Greeves Challenger seen here today is of 1967 vintage and is visibly in immaculate order. It would appear to be an interim model which still had the distinctive Greeves aluminium front frame member but is equipped with telescopic forks instead of the traditional leading link rubber sprung units, developed from the suspension of the very first Invacar, as fitted to earlier versions. A very purposeful looking bike which will grace any collection of tru-brit brute power machinery.
Image and description kindly supplied by H&H Classic Auctions