As an ex-owner of both a G3 and a G12 I had to watch this video. I was horrified when, over a 100% British icon, an American voice attempted to give a believable commentary, it just did not work.
Well built bikes all AMC were, problem being the lack of automation in the production meant AMC was losing money at its London factory, their James/Franny Barnet factory was profitable. The government didn't help taking 30+ percent purchase tax, and during the 50s and 60s the motorcycle market was contracting heavily in the UK. This means borrowing money for investment was more or less impossible for small British motorcycle companies
For a long while when we were young a Matchless 500 single was our family vehicle. Kids music lessons, market , vacation trips, and of course just me tooling around. Very comfortable . only problem was heating on summer rides up to my office in Jerusalem. Eventually had to trade it in for a small car as we grew. Still miss it.
@@minuteman2022Thanks. Any idea why they used the prefix 'G'? I don't have, unfortunately. Colin Seeley made frames for the G50 before Yamaha two stroke engines were fitted.
I do not know either I`m afraid, but here`s what Bing had to say about it: The “G” in Matchless motorcycle model numbers started appearing in the mid-1930s1. Before this, Matchless models were given a model letter (e.g., A, B, C, etc.)1. After World War I, they continued with a model letter (e.g., H), and sometimes a number may have also been used (e.g., H/2), and occasionally another letter was added (e.g., model T progressing to T/S2)1. In the early 1930s, Matchless started prefixing a model ID with a year code, for which they used the last two digits of the year1. By 1935, Matchless models got a “G” prefixing a number (e.g., G3), and as new models were introduced, a letter or letters suffixed an engine model number1. Some of these suffixes indicated the suspension type or the competition type the model was1. However, there seems to be no specific reason why manufacturers chose a particular letter or number, except that they had to give a model an identification1. For example, it does not explain why the 350 single was called a G3 while the 500 was G80 and the 500 twin was a G91. It’s important to note that these model numbers and letters are crucial for identifying the specific model and year of the motorcycle, especially when ordering spare parts1.@@frankraw9991
@@minuteman2022 Two very rare photographs my friend. Marlon Brando's Matchbox G9 twin with the "Flying M" upside down! hahahaha The very rare G80RR 500cc rigid frame model built for American flat tracking. Only 25-made! This American restorer did a 1961 350cc G3c Trials, a 1962 G15/45 750 twin (only 220 made)*, and a G80RR for customers. Three very rare models. Great video my man! Thanks *The 750 G15CS ~ was Norton engine as you know - an insult to all of us Matchbox aficionados! I retired to New Zealand - going to a vintage road meet on Sunday. Lots of Kiwi G50's and 7R's.
When trying to keep the video relatively short, it is difficult to fit a company's 100+ years of history with all details in the video. But thank you for your input.
As an ex-owner of both a G3 and a G12 I had to watch this video. I was horrified when, over a 100% British icon, an American voice attempted to give a believable commentary, it just did not work.
@@cliveshakespeare9184 hahaha
Well built bikes all AMC were, problem being the lack of automation in the production meant AMC was losing money at its London factory, their James/Franny Barnet factory was profitable. The government didn't help taking 30+ percent purchase tax, and during the 50s and 60s the motorcycle market was contracting heavily in the UK. This means borrowing money for investment was more or less impossible for small British motorcycle companies
For a long while when we were young a Matchless 500 single was our family vehicle. Kids music lessons, market , vacation trips, and of course just me tooling around. Very comfortable . only problem was heating on summer rides up to my office in Jerusalem. Eventually had to trade it in for a small car as we grew. Still miss it.
No mention of the G50 Production Racer? Overhead cam like the 7R AJS. They were popular with privateer riders.
We might have missed out on some models, but thank you for your additional info.
@@minuteman2022Thanks. Any idea why they used the prefix 'G'? I don't have, unfortunately. Colin Seeley made frames for the G50 before Yamaha two stroke engines were fitted.
I do not know either I`m afraid, but here`s what Bing had to say about it: The “G” in Matchless motorcycle model numbers started appearing in the mid-1930s1. Before this, Matchless models were given a model letter (e.g., A, B, C, etc.)1. After World War I, they continued with a model letter (e.g., H), and sometimes a number may have also been used (e.g., H/2), and occasionally another letter was added (e.g., model T progressing to T/S2)1.
In the early 1930s, Matchless started prefixing a model ID with a year code, for which they used the last two digits of the year1. By 1935, Matchless models got a “G” prefixing a number (e.g., G3), and as new models were introduced, a letter or letters suffixed an engine model number1. Some of these suffixes indicated the suspension type or the competition type the model was1.
However, there seems to be no specific reason why manufacturers chose a particular letter or number, except that they had to give a model an identification1. For example, it does not explain why the 350 single was called a G3 while the 500 was G80 and the 500 twin was a G91.
It’s important to note that these model numbers and letters are crucial for identifying the specific model and year of the motorcycle, especially when ordering spare parts1.@@frankraw9991
@@minuteman2022 Two very rare photographs my friend.
Marlon Brando's Matchbox G9 twin with the "Flying M" upside down! hahahaha
The very rare G80RR 500cc rigid frame model built for American flat tracking. Only 25-made!
This American restorer did a 1961 350cc G3c Trials, a 1962 G15/45 750 twin (only 220 made)*, and a G80RR for customers.
Three very rare models.
Great video my man! Thanks
*The 750 G15CS ~ was Norton engine as you know - an insult to all of us Matchbox aficionados!
I retired to New Zealand - going to a vintage road meet on Sunday. Lots of Kiwi G50's and 7R's.
Thank you for your kind words, and for sharing your story! Have a great time at the road meet!
No mention of 1911 TT and the Brooklands match races against Indian's Jake Derosier???
In order to keep the video relatively short, not every aspect of a company's 100 + years can be covered unfortunately.
@@minuteman2022 Make it longer then. The 1911 Collier-Derosier episode is the stuff of legend.
Magnifiques machines peu connues. 👍👍👍
I. My dad had a 1951 big single. Great Fun
I bet!
A long time ago I learnt to ride on my AJS 350 and passed my test on it.
Nice memories!
Where is G50 and AJS 7R for that matter
When trying to keep the video relatively short, it is difficult to fit a company's 100+ years of history with all details in the video. But thank you for your input.
i have 1938 g 80
Shame about the artificial voice, with poor diction.
A good real voice over would be a million times better
Nice video shame spoilt by narrative.
Thank you for your feedback!
Just appreciate what you got my friend. This is a lot of work!😆