22nd Oct, 2010 14:15

Haynes International Motor Museum

 
  Lot 23
 

1953 Matchless G45

Sold for £39,375

(including buyers premium)


Lot details
Registration No: N/A
Frame No: R-T-C8-4-55
Engine No: G45-216
cc: 500

The progenitor of the G45 made its first appearance at the 1951 Manx Grand Prix when Robin Sherry rode a machine clearly derived from the G9 twin to a highly creditable 4th place. The same motorcycle returned to the Island in 1952, firstly in the hands of Ernie Ring in the 1952 TT who failed to finish and then in the Senior Manx Grand Prix where it set new race and lap records on it's way to securing victory in the hands of Derek Farrant. Following these successes development of what was now typed the G45 continued under the direction of H J Hatch with a view to putting the machine into production for the 1953 season. From AMC's marketing point of view a racing twin clearly derived from the roadgoing G9/Model 20 machines could help them establish their twin cylinder range in an increasingly competitive market and experience gained with the racing machine could be applied to "hotter" variants of the G9/Model 20 intended for the North American market.
The new model benefited from the development work already carried out on the 7R utilising that models cycle parts in largely unaltered form to house the engine and transmission. At first sight the engine itself appeared familiar resembling as it did the roadgoing G9 power unit and retaining the 66mm x 72.8mm dimensions of the road model. However there were considerable differences, the crankshaft was of an alloy steel forging and featured shrunk on flywheels. The cylinder heads which accommodated a pair of Amal GP carburettors were alloy castings and were topped by electron rocker covers (which enclosed a considerably revised valve train) as were the separate cylinders which featured deep finning to aid cooling. Items such as the camshafts, which were of a more radical profile, valve springs, valves and pistons also differed markedly from the road going engine. What is possibly more surprising is what was retained from the road going power plant. The timing gear and oil pump, the majority of the main bearings and the conrods were all taken from the production engine and in use gave very little trouble. In fact the most common cause for engine failure in what was a generally reliable power unit was the special alloy pushrods. A chain primary drive took the power from the engine to a Burman racing gearbox.
The G45 achieved some remarkable successes on the track during the mid fifties, including two Senior wins in the New Zealand Grand Prix a fifth in the 1955 Dutch TT and two sixth places in the 1955 and 1956 TT's, however even when the machine was at its height it did not seem to get the support from AMC that one would have imagined. A minor redesign occurred during 1956 with revised head castings and an improved valve train being introduced but little else was done to develop the machine despite its potential, development instead shifted to an enlarged version of the overhead cam 7R single which emerged in 1958 as the G50 entering production in 1959.
The example offered dates from 1955 and is presented in very good 'original' condition.
 

All successful bids must be paid in full by midday the day after the auction at the latest.

You can collect your new pride and joy from our venue until 1pm the day following the sale or our partners are on hand to help arrange safe transportation:

               

Auction: Haynes International Motor Museum, 22nd Oct, 2010

View all lots in this sale

Do you have an item to sell?

If so, contact one of our friendly specialists for your free valuation by completing the form below and someone will get back to you as quickly as possible.

If you prefer to speak to humans, don't hesitate to call our office on +44 (0)1925 210035

Contact Us Today!

 

Images

Drag and drop .jpg images here to upload, or click here to select images.


Turning the Page: A New Chapter for H&H Classics
Goon, Goon, Gone: Unique Peter Sellers 1960 Bentley heads to auction
Eclectic 150-plus classic car auction helps round out H&H’s milestone 30th year celebrations
One of the UK’s best driving Aston Martin DB5s heads to auction
Mid-century sports car icons race to Buxton auction
Former front cover ‘star’ heads to auction
Classic British motorcycles shine as 230 lots head to the National Motorcycle Museum auction
Racing legend Patsy Burt's Jaguar XK120 speeds to Buxton auction
22-strong single owner classic motorcycle collection heads to auction
Norton's racing heritage set to ignite the auction stage
Rare Frazer-Nash BMW with rich racing history to be auctioned
“The Rolls-Royce” of the motorcycle world, heads to      auction
Martini inspired Porsche 911 ‘RSR’ Tribute to head under the hammer
Rare ‘Car on Two Wheels’ heads to auction for the first time in 30 years
More than 100 classics sold in H&H’s 30th anniversary sale
Stunning classics worth more than £9 million offered in 30th anniversary auction
Rare Aston Martin DB1 heads to anniversary auction from long-term ownership
Rare Bentleys to star in 30th celebration auction
H&H Classics 30th Anniversary Auction
H&H unveils details of its 30th anniversary celebrations
Classic car owners handed ULEZ lifeline
H&H Classics auction Hurricane X-75 Prototype to National Motorcycle Museum
Vintage and modern classics lead the way at latest H&H sale
H&H offers exceptional range of vehicles spanning 11 individual decades
Pavilion Gardens. Wednesday 26th July 2023
A whimsical blast from the past: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang recreation heads to auction
From Italy with love: auction showcasing the essence of Italian design and sprezzatura
250 Motorcycles & Vintage Scooters Set To Go Under The Hammer!
March of the Mods: Lambretta owned by Paul Weller heads to auction
Lawbreakers to law enforcers: historic scooters with infamous connections up for sale
Jaguar SS100 among £2¼  million worth of classics sold at the Imperial War Museum
British classics to shine at H&H Classics’ sale
Historic Guinness Collection heads to auction
Browse The Catalogue Now! 135 Classic & Performance Cars To Go Under The Hammer.
Robbie Savage’s Ferrari F430 to be sold at H&H Classics
RAC Rally winning ‘Jaguar’ to be sold at auction
Former MP’s Bentley and Facel Vega ‘garage find’ among £1.3m worth of classics hammered away by H&H
Pavilion Gardens, Buxton Auction Preview Video
Genuine ‘matching numbers’ 1967 Shelby GT500 Fastback among 89 strong classic car auction
Rare Facel Vega ‘garage find’ heads to auction
Indian 4 and Lambretta DL200
Golden opportunity to acquire famous limited edition Italjet scooter
H&H Classics commences landmark year with sale of 121 cars
‘Brand new’ Porsche 911 heading to auction after 21 years
Brooklands race winning Bentley to go under the hammer
Actor, Sir Michael Caine’s first car, heads to auction. £100,000 - £150,000
A Very Rare Survivor. A 1936 Indian Four. £50,000 - £60,000
A Car that will Unite Romantics and Cynics Alike. A 1937 Rolls-Royce 25/30 Limousine