c.1960 Matchless 496cc G50
Frame no. 1779

• One of less than 200 made
• Quaife 5 speed gearbox
• Dunlop alloy rims
• Engine rebuilt by Mick Taberer
• Lucas 2MTT magneto

Matchless were one of the earliest manufacturers of motorcycles, founded in 1899, whilst their subsequent partners, AJS, were relative latecomers in 1909. Indeed, Matchless had won their first TT in 1907, before the inception of the AJS company; yet it was AJS who arguably went on to achieve greater fame in racing circles, with its overhead valve and overhead camshaft models of the 1920s. Whilst prior to the Second World War AJS had made overhead camshaft sports machines in both 350 and 500 capacities, after the conflict the first 'cammy' was only available as a 350. Although it was joined in 1953 by the Matchless G45 500cc twin cylinder machine, it was not until 1958 that AMC produced the G50, a companion single to the 7R, in the larger 500 capacity.

Identical in most respects, there appears no obvious reason why it took AMC ten years to produce a 500 version of the 7R single. It was possibly inspired by the Swedish rider, Bill Nilsson winning the inaugural World Motocross Championship in 1957 on a 7R bored out to 500cc and converted for off-road use. G50s were manufactured only from 1958 to 1963 and less than 200 left the factory. By the time of its introduction single cylinder racers were already in decline, and when the factory was struggling financially, AMC pulled the plug on both racing singles in 1963.

In 1966 the contents of the competition department were sold off to Colin Seeley, and the cammy singles acquired a new lease of life in Colin's frames. Other frames were to follow in ensuing years, and the model was to receive a further shot in the arm with the advent of classic racing, when it became competitive once again and another generation of frame makers turned their hands to making G50 racers.

The G50 offered here was purchased by the vendor approximately 4 years ago, having been restored by the previous owner over a period of time. The engine had been entrusted to well-known specialist Mick Taberer for a total rebuild, and the rest of the machine has been sympathetically restored to a very good standard, whilst retaining many of the original parts, such as the 1½ inch GP carburettor, Dunlop alloy rims, Lucas 2MTT magneto, correct alloy fuel and oil tanks, Smiths conical tachometer, and AMC clutch. At some time the engine has evidently had a replacement set of crankcases which are unnumbered. The only known departure from standard is the use of a Quaife 5 speed gearbox. The engine runs on Castor-based oil. During the present ownership the G50 has not been raced or paraded, although the owner has started it on regular occasions and advises us that the bike is ready to ride.