Vintage British Motorcycles
"And 'tis no little reason bids us speed" Henry IV, Act 1
Anny Deim
Notes on some of the rarer British marques
This page lists brands for which we currently have only an historical precis.
For a more complete listing visit the British Index.
G.A.C.S. 1907
Glasgow Auto Cycle Services
An example is displayed at the Myreton Motor Museum in Aberlady, Scotland
Garrard Sidecars 1926-1961
Gemini Sidecars
Manufactured by Fred Yates from the 1980s to the early 2000s, they were based on the coachbuilt designs of the 1950s and 60s and included a very attractive fully-enclosed tandem two-seater. It is said he also produced 3- and 4-seater models.
Sources: Hal Kendall, et al.
Gilcolt
Manufactured by Ricketts, a Reliant dealer in Streatham.
Production began in 1972 using a Reliant Regal frame and componentry with a custom GRP body featuring gullwing doors. Available as a kit and as a complete car, not a great many of the 3-wheelers were produced.
Source: 3-wheelers.com
Girling 3-Wheeler, 1913
Givaudan
Givaudan is listed as a British firm by Tragatsch and others. Although at least two British firms are known to have fitted these French engines, there is no evidence to suggest that there was a British marque of this name, nor a subsidiary of the French concern in the UK.
Further information on this topic may be found in the notes on the French Givaudan firm.
GN Cyclecars, 1910-1925
Gnat
Manufactured by by Aimers McLean & Co Ltd, Scotland, c.1968~1978.
Akin to a golf cart, the Gnat three-wheeler was powered by a Briggs and Stratton industrial engine which drove the rear wheels via a 3-speed Albion gearbox. It had tiller steering, excellent brakes, good ground clearance and wide tyres. Load capacity was 650 lbs.
Source: 3-wheelers.com
GMS
Geoff Monty was a successful racer and motorcycle parts specialist who developed a series of racing motorcycles. The GMS Special used a heavily modified BSA Goldstar engine of 250cc. In partnership with Allen Dudley-Ward the Monward Triumph was produced in 500 and 650cc versions (the fastest of which was believed capable of 145mph), and in 1966 a Rickman Metisse-framed Triumph appeared.
Monty died in 2009, aged 92.
Source: Wikipedia
Gordon Three-wheelers, 1954-1958
Graisley Sidecars 1920s-1930s
Graham Sidecars 1903-1929
Grinnall
Manufactured by Grinnall Specialist Cars, Worcestershire.
Their first 3-wheeler was the Scorpion 3, introduced in 1992.
The Scorpion 3, with a single rear wheel, has used four-cylinder BMW engines including the K100 1000cc 8v, K1200 1200cc 16v, and K1300S and can achieve very substantial speed.
Bodywork is Kevlar reinforced fibreglass mounted on a tubular steel frame. Brakes are from a Cosworth Sierra and rear suspension is BMW Paralever.
The firm has also produced a Triumph-powered Grinnall TR 8 4-wheeler, and a variety of trikes.
Sources: 3-wheelers.com, grinallcars.com, grinnalltrikes.co.uk
Grosvenor Sidecars
Manufactured by The Grosvenor Motor Company, Bradford Street, West Bolton. 1912-1921
Source: period advertising
Guillodat 1905
GWK
Manufactured by GWK of Maidenhead.
The firm built cyclecars powered by Coventry Climax engines, and in 1927 produced a few examples of a three-wheeled microcar named the Grice which featured a 680cc JAP V-twin.
Sources: 3-wheelers.com, Graces Guide.
Rarer British Marques
