Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.
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oldtimer
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 Posted: Mon Apr 25, 2011 9:37 am Post subject: Gordon-Keeble |
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In the course of a conversation the other day a chap mentioned a car he recalled,probably in late 50s/early 60s,called the Gordon-Keeble.I am of that vintage too but never heard of this one.I suggested it was probably a kit car but he denied this and thought it had been serious enough to have involved an Italian designer for the body styling.
Are there some forum members who know of,or even saw, one of these ?
No sense of urgency,just curious really. |
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Rick
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Joined: 27 Apr 2005
Posts: 22779
Location: UK
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47p2
Joined: 24 Nov 2007
Posts: 2009
Location: Glasgow
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| Posted: Mon Apr 25, 2011 9:51 am Post subject: |
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The car is Chassis Number 12, was originally red, and in the metal looks absolutely breath-taking. Only 100 were made (some say 101, as the 100th car was cobbled together from the left-over parts after the company went down for a third time and there are rumours that another was made) and each car lost the company money.
5.4 litre Chevrolet engine will, apparently, propel the GK to 143mph and beyond 70 in the second gear of its four-speed transmission.
Price-wise £30k is a starting point for one like this, but then at auction who knows......
I'm not sure about that quilted interior though 
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ROVER
One of Britain's Fine Cars |
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Rick
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Joined: 27 Apr 2005
Posts: 22779
Location: UK
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| Posted: Mon Apr 25, 2011 10:15 am Post subject: |
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| 47p2 wrote: | ... (some say 101, as the 100th car was cobbled together from the left-over parts after the company went down for a third time and there are rumours that another was made) and each car lost the company money ...
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Is that the De Bruin car? I was sent photos of a De Bruin G-K a couple of years ago mouldering in a Welsh garage. The interior was pimped - from new - in white leather iirc, and it had MkIV (I think) Zephyr rear lights or similar - not an improvement over the original, built up for a US Motor Show.
RJ
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oldtimer
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| Posted: Mon Apr 25, 2011 10:49 am Post subject: Gordon-Keeble |
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Although I should know better by now you chaps never cease to amaze me!Rick is always on the ball,of course and John ,the gent who is"further North and West of Rick" has a knack of coming to my aid on numerous occasions.I still find it surprising that a car like this should have escaped my attention so comprehensively for so long.It looks really elegant and I could well believe there was some Italian input into the design.
Thank you . |
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peter scott
Joined: 18 Dec 2007
Posts: 7211
Location: Edinburgh
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poodge
Joined: 23 Nov 2007
Posts: 687
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| Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2011 12:12 am Post subject: |
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There was one here in christchurch,new zealand,but I haven't seen it for quite some time.
I seem to remember there was some talk that the G-K would be made here at some stage,but obviously,that came to nothing.Shame really,I always thought them a gorgeous looking car,even though I would never be able to afford one.
Don't know who the stylist was,but it has shades of Bertone in it.Luvverly  |
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47p2
Joined: 24 Nov 2007
Posts: 2009
Location: Glasgow
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| Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2011 7:54 am Post subject: |
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| Rick wrote: |
Is that the De Bruin car? I was sent photos of a De Bruin G-K a couple of years ago mouldering in a Welsh garage. The interior was pimped - from new - in white leather iirc, and it had MkIV (I think) Zephyr rear lights or similar - not an improvement over the original, built up for a US Motor Show.
RJ |
I really don't know Rick, the picture was taken last May at the Capesthorne rally but looking at this car I would think the answer would be no
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ROVER
One of Britain's Fine Cars |
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PAUL BEAUMONT
Joined: 27 Nov 2007
Posts: 1281
Location: Barnsley S. Yorks
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| Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2011 1:02 pm Post subject: |
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Made in Brackley (Northants) a stones throw from Silverstone, about the time when I wnt to school there!
By coincidence A good frind of mine today is one of the leading lights in the GK owners club.
Paul |
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lowdrag
Joined: 10 Apr 2009
Posts: 1600
Location: Le Mans
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| Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2011 6:56 pm Post subject: |
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| But why the tortoise? Apparently when they were doing a photoshoot to publicise the car the pet tortoise came into the shot, hence the badge. There's one for sale, 37,000 miles from new, in this month's Octane, for sale by André Bloom, but his site doesn't show it. |
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Norfolkjohn
Joined: 07 Mar 2011
Posts: 88
Location: North Norfolk
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| Posted: Sun May 01, 2011 10:20 pm Post subject: |
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I must confess that until reading this thread I had never even heard of a Gordon-Keeble. Now today I went to the Duxford Car Show and, blow me, what was sitting there .....
Gordon-Keeble by norfolkjohn, on Flickr
Gordon-Keeble by norfolkjohn, on Flickr
Gordon-Keeble Badge by norfolkjohn, on Flickr
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One thorn of experience is worth a whole wilderness of warning |
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47p2
Joined: 24 Nov 2007
Posts: 2009
Location: Glasgow
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| Posted: Sat May 07, 2011 10:05 pm Post subject: |
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Gordon-Keeble for sale on ebay
You know you want to John, sell the Volvo and treat yourself 
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ROVER
One of Britain's Fine Cars |
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V10Mike
Joined: 10 May 2011
Posts: 2
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| Posted: Tue May 10, 2011 3:55 pm Post subject: |
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Greetings! The Gordon-Keeble shown at Duxford is mine -chassis number six. I have owned it for eleven years now, and it is my third! Standard on the outside, apart from the J A Pearce alloy wheels, but with a 6.3 litre small block Chevy under the bonnet with Edelbrock heads, hydraulic roller camshaft etc etc, built by Knight Racing Services and dynoed at 425bhp.
I fitted a Muncie M21 gearbox to take the increased torque, and it has Harvey Bailey antiroll bars, Koni shocks, modified suspension geometry and power rack and pinion steering to make sure it goes round corners.
(photo courtesy of Ed Ryder)
Gordon-Keebles were not built in Brackley, but at Southampton Airport. The GKOC was started by Ernie Knott from his garage premises in Brackley, which is maybe where the confusion has arisen.
The G-K on Ebay is OK, but I think it looks very slab sided without the chrome trim strips on the sides, and a 350 crate chevy is not the "correct" engine. If it was mine I'd paint it a different colour, too, and get rid of the vinyl roof. |
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Rick
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Posts: 22779
Location: UK
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smiffy220
Joined: 22 Nov 2010
Posts: 329
Location: Southminster, Essex
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| Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2011 10:24 am Post subject: |
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Just saw this for sale and remembered this thread, looks a stunning car this one:-
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C231043
Anyone got just under £50k spare at the mo??
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1980 Opel Manta 2.0 SR Berlinetta
1934 Morris Cowley Four (my late fathers) |
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