A brand new Matchless

Engine number 61/G80TCS3975 began at

Matchless Motorcycles Ltd Plumstead Road London SE18 in 1961. The company only built 125 units, all for the US market. The G80TCS “Typhoon” was a 600cc road/desert racer. It landed in USA and was sold to a collector. Fast forward to 2002 and the collection was sold off. Australian Jon Munn of Classic Style, bought the bike and shipped it to his shop in Seaford Victoria. He sold it to a local man who found it impossible to start it and gave it back to John, who then put the bike up for sale again. I bought the bike, sight unseen, unpacked the crate, set it up on a work bench to see what I had bought. I contacted a local Matchless expert, Tony Trappel, and we were gobsmacked – 3 miles on the speedo. After serious examination of the unit we came to the conclusion that it is genuine. What gave it away? There are no holes in the tailblade under the tail light where the number plate would have been bolted to. This bike was never registered. All other wearing parts showed as new. So I got a new 1961 motorcycle, now in 2022 with 3 miles on the speedo. My son Mik asked me, “What are you going to do with it now?” I replied, “Put a blanket over it, next a dustcover, store it in one of the sheds and wait 39 years to go by. Then I will have a brand new bike, 100 years old. I have plenty of other bikes to ride.” Mik just said, “You silly old bugger. You are 90 years old now.”

Gus Dubokovich Broken Hill, NSW

Fabulous looking bike Gus and happy 90th birthday. – Ed