 Matchless Tank Badge from a 1959 Matchless | |
| Industry | Motorcycle |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1899 |
| Founder | Henry Herbert Collier |
| Defunct | 1966 |
| Headquarters | Plumstead, London , UK |
Key people | Henry Herbert Collier and his sons Charlie and Harry |
Matchless is one of the oldest marques of British motorcycles, manufactured in Plumstead, London, between 1899 and 1966. A wide range of models were produced under the Matchless name, ranging from small two-strokes to 750 cc four-stroke twins. Matchless had a long history of racing success; a Matchless ridden by Charlie Collier won the first single-cylinder race in the first Isle of Man TT in 1907.[1]
In 1938, Matchless and AJS became part of Associated Motorcycles (AMC), both companies producing models under their own marques. During the amalgamations that occurred in the British motorcycle industry in the 1960s, the Matchless four-stroke twin was replaced with the Norton twin, ending a long history of independent production. By 1967, the Matchless singles had ceased production.[2]
- ^ [1][permanent dead link] Matchless Isle of Man TT & MGP race results (Retrieved 30 August 2006)
- ^ De Cet, Mirco (2005). Quentin Daniel (ed.). The Complete Encyclopedia of Classic Motorcycles. Rebo International. ISBN 978-90-366-1497-9.