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Matchless, Sunbeam and AJS motorcyles: Part 2 (The fall)
Post-war production at Associated Motor Cycles began with Matchless and AJS 350 cc and 500 cc singles that were civilian versions of the wartime Matchless G3L. The only difference in their engines was that the Matchless unit had the Magdyno behind the cylinder while the AJS was in front....
Matchless, Sunbeam and AJS motorcyles: Part 1 (The rise)
The Associated Motor Cycles group was formed in 1937 but the company had its beginnings back in the 19th century when brothers Harry and Charlie Collier began manufacturing motorcycles with the Matchless brand name. Both were famous racers back in those pioneer days, with Charlie winning the single-cylinder class of...
Peter James Insurance announces exclusive partnership with the MX-5 Owners Club
We are delighted to announce an exclusive partnership with the MX-5 Owners Club to provide a new insurance scheme tailored to enthusiasts of these hugely popular modern classics. The new scheme was announced at the NEC Classic Motor Show on the opening day of the show on the MX-5...
Who remembers the name Vanden Plas? Part 2
Part 1 of this story can be read here Vanden Plas’ famous ‘Kingsbury Works’ was opened in 1923. To celebrate what would have been the factory’s centenary we examine this often misunderstood name, which had a profound effect on British automotive history and pioneered an aspect of the modern...
MX-5 Origins: Why Mazda Created the World’s Best-Selling Sports Car.
Small, lightweight and affordable two-seater sports cars have traditionally hailed from Europe, especially Italy and the UK. MG, Triumph, Alfa Romeo, Fiat and others sold huge numbers of fun roadsters into a booming US market during the 1950s and 1960s, but these established players failed to invest in new...
The Ducati Apollo V4 Prototype story – Too much too soon?
Back in the early ‘60s, Ducati was one of dozens of Italian motorcycle manufacturers, struggling to overcome the situation in their crucial home market. From 1955, the tiny Fiat 500 car had sold spectacularly well and brought an end to the post-war boom in Italian motorcycle sales brought about...
One of our young customers takes his classic across Europe with car club cover
Young classic car enthusiast Harry Sharrock first set eyes on his 2008 Jaguar XJ Sovereign back when he was a university student in Hull. Since then, he worked and saved to buy it just over a year ago. To celebrate, Harry embarked upon an epic tour of Europe with...
Who remembers the name Vanden Plas? Part 1
Vanden Plas’ famous ‘Kingsbury Works’ was opened in 1923. To celebrate what would have been the factory’s centenary we examine this often misunderstood name, which profoundly affected British automotive history and pioneered an aspect of the modern car industry. Vanden Plas, that most English coachbuilders, had their roots...
The BSA MC-1 250. It could have been a contender!
The UK produced a constant stream of champions and challengers during the first fifty years of the World Championships but no British bikes at all for them to ride! You have to go right back to 1952 and Geoff Duke on the 350 and 500cc Manx Nortons to find...
Goodwood Revival Reflections 2023
The Goodwood Revival’s 25th Anniversary was a combination of time travel and motorsport excellence, presided over by the venue’s very own ‘Timelord’, motor racing enthusiast Charles March, the current Duke of Richmond and Gordon. We popped along to experience the weekend, so here are the highlights and memories from...
