Matchless

Matchless were motorcycles produced from 1899 to 1945, and from 1987 to 1993.

The company was founded in Plumstead, London, by Harry and Charlie Collier, who had started out producing bicycles and went on to develop one of the most important British motorcycle firms.

• 1899 The Collier brothers first experimented with power. This machine had the engine mounted above the front wheel.

• 1901 They then produced an experimental version whereby the engine was crammed into the space between the seat tube and the rear wheel. This model was not successful as it had a tendency to overheat in use. They then went into production using a 2.75hp MMC engine that was hung from the frame downtube. Both brothers became involved in competition and were successful.

• 1904 Saw the arrival of a more powerful machine, fitted with a 3.5hp MMC engine. They also produced a forecar with De Dion or MMC engine, and a pillion attachment for the solo.

• 1905 They now added suspension to their machines and later that year they produced a model fitted with a 6hp JAP engine on a spring frame.

• 1906 The forecar was dropped and replaced by a rigid model with a 5hp Antoine V-twin engine. Other models were produced using various engines - spring frame with White and Poppe; rigid frame with Antoine and a spring frame ladies' model with a JAP. That year also saw success in competition and both brothers were selected for the International Cup Race

• 1907-1908 Brought changes and revisions and a TT model. Charlie broke the one-hour record, riding at Brooklands in 1908.

• 1915 During the Great War, some machines were built for service use although they were not contracted to make motocycles for the army. They announced proposals for a flat-twin, three speed engine, but nothing came of it.

• Post war. The company continued to produce the model they had supplied to the army - this was listed as the Victory and sold in solo or sidecar form. New, bigger and better models were added year on year throughout the 1920s.

• 1931 Despite the Depression, the company launched something special that year - it was the Silver Hawk. It had a 592cc narrow-angle V4 engine with a shaft-driven ohc. It remained on the list until 1935, but as a de luxe model it was too costly to sell in any great number. The company acquired AJS.

• 1936 There were major revisions that year and most of the inclined engines were replaced by the G-series.

• 1937 Teh old V-twin engine was refreshed and was still used for sidecar models. The company sold the engine to at least five other manufacturers and also for the Morgan three-wheeler. Matchless purchased Sunbeam and formed the AMC group.

• 1939 Matchless now had twelve models in their range and all but one twin were of the G-series.

• 1940 Fewer models were listed because the company were supplying machines to the services - this was the G3 model.

• 1941 The G3 became the G3L and a firm favourite within the services. It was light, easy to manoeuvre and had telescopic front forks.

• 1943 Although the AMC remained, the company sold Sunbeam to BSA.

• Post War. The fortunes of AJS and Matchless had become closely intertwined. Further information can be found under the entry of AJS and Matchless under the AJS heading.

Sources of Information

The British Motorcycle Directory - Over 1,100 Marques from 1888 - by Roy Bacon and Ken Hallworth. Pub: The Crowood Press and Wikipedia