Description
National Motorcycle Museum | Solihull, West Midlands
26th Mar, 2025 9:00
1955 Matchless G9 500
No Reserve
Registration No: JFO 721
Frame No: A35769
MOT: Exempt
Authentically restored Matchless 500 twin
An ideal mount for vintage runs and rallies
Supplied with a dating letter, old MOTs and a V5C
Matchless is one of the oldest marques of British motorcycles, manufactured in Plumstead, London, between 1899 and 1966. A wide range of models was produced under the Matchless name, ranging from small two-strokes to 750 cc four-stroke twins. The marque had a long history of racing success with a Matchless ridden by Charlie Collier winning the first single-cylinder race in the first Isle of Man TT in 1907. An amalgamation with AJS in 1931 formed Associated Motor Cycles which continued until the group's closure in the mid-60s. The Matchless G9, together with its equivalent AJS Model 20, was developed to compete with the other big twins being offered by the rival BSA/ Triumph group at the time.
This authentically presented bike, being offered at no reserve, is from a deceased estate. Part of an enthusiast collection of bikes from that era, he described it as a bike he used 'all the time as it's bombproof, utterly reliable and a joy to ride'. An older restoration that is now wearing a nice patina, included is a list of jobs carried out and parts used during to process and a dating letter from the AJS and Matchless Owners Club stating it was completed and tested by the factory in July 1955. Stood for a while, it will need recommissioning before use but will make an excellent mount for vintage runs and rallies and comes supplied with the dating letter, lots of old MOTs and a current V5C.