Info für Besucher ohne Javascript

Premium

Gilbern G.T. 1800 - when the whole is much more than the sum of its parts

This article was auto-translated. We apologize if some words are confusing or simply amusing. Would you like to help us improve?

Created on June 29, 2022

Text:

Bruno von Rotz

Photos:

Daniel Reinhard

33

Archiv

8

Daniel Reinhard

33

Archiv

8

Gilbern G.T. 1800 (1964) - less than four meters long

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Gilbern G.T. 1800 (1964) - only a good 200 units were built

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Gilbern G.T. 1800 (1964) - little and sporty to move

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Gilbern G.T. 1800 (1964) - is hardly recognized by any passer-by

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Gilbern G.T. 1800 (1964) - only around 1.5 meters wide and a good 1.3 meters high

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Gilbern G.T. 1800 (1964) - a rarity that has nothing to hide

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Gilbern G.T. 1800 (1964) - almost 180 km/h fast

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Gilbern G.T. 1800 (1964) - The Catcher in the Rye? Good title, but this is not about rye

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Gilbern G.T. 1800 (1964) - not the prettiest car of all time, but not the opposite either

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Gilbern G.T. 1800 (1964) - a bit of Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint design resonates from this perspective

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Gilbern G.T. 1800 (1964) - sometimes also referred to as Mini-Aston-Martin

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Gilbern G.T. 1800 (1964) - compact dimensions characterize the four-seater coupé

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Gilbern G.T. 1800 (1964) - instead of designer support, the design was simply based on the specifications of other cars

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Gilbern G.T. 1800 (1964) - the roof, doors and all four fenders take their design cues from mass-produced cars of the late 1950s

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Gilbern G.T. 1800 (1964) - the design was the result of pragmatic puzzle work

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Gilbern G.T. 1800 (1964) - suspended pedals, classic toggle switches

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Gilbern G.T. 1800 (1964) - good space in the interior

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Gilbern G.T. 1800 (1964) - bucket seats promise lateral support

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Gilbern G.T. 1800 (1964) - tidy cockpit

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Gilbern G.T. 1800 (1964) - View of the interior

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Gilbern G.T. 1800 (1964) - the gearshift is easy to hold

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Gilbern G.T. 1800 (1964) - the cockpit was originally lined with vinyl-like material

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Gilbern G.T. 1800 (1964) - like the MGB with overdrive

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Gilbern G.T. 1800 (1964) - external fuel filler cap

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Gilbern G.T. 1800 (1964) - thanks to the Weber carburetor, this four-cylinder should perform a little better than the standard, 1.8-liter from the MGB

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Gilbern G.T. 1800 (1964) - longitudinally mounted engine from the MGB

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Gilbern G.T. 1800 (1964) - Chassis number

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Gilbern G.T. 1800 (1964) - the fire-breathing dragon as a trademark was actually only used on later models

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Gilbern G.T. 1800 (1964) - type designation on the bow

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Gilbern G.T. 1800 (1964) - spoked wheels

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Gilbern G.T. 1800 (1964) - type designation on the rear

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Gilbern G.T. 1800 (1964) - the rear lights also come from the BMC collection

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Among other things, the molds for all four fenders came from the Austin A40 Farina

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Gilbern 1800 GT (1964) - uses the technology of the MGB

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Gilbern GT (1964) - with wire wheels

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Gilbern GT (1965) - tubular frame construction

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Gilbern GT (1965) - View of the interior

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Gilbern GT (1966) - lightweight coupé with plastic bodywork

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Gilbern GT (1966) - Cockpit of a later version

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Gilbern Genie (1969) - elegant and functional

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Gilbern G.T. 1800 (1964) - the shape of the radiator grille is characteristic

You have only

1 out of 41

images seen in high resolution

Summary

An MGB with a plastic body? Although this description would not be completely wrong in the case of the Gilbern G.T. 1800, it would be far too short-sighted. Although many components came from the British mass-produced car, the Gilbern, which was only produced in just over 200 units, differed significantly from the MG with its own tubular frame and individual plastic body as well as four seats inside. This driving report tells the story of the little-known small-series sports car and shows it in current and historical pictures as well as in sales material from the time.

This article contains the following chapters

Enthusiasm-driven partnership
Sports car from the slaughterhouse
Component car instead of kit car
Continuous further development
Not very profitable
Replacement by Genie
On the road in the Mini-Aston

Estimated reading time: 8min

Preview (beginning of the article)

The British sports car special scene flourished at the end of the 1950s and the beginning of the 1960s. Small companies produced affordable sports cars, which were often only sold as components or as kits in homeopathic quantities. The small manufacturers were not given access to the London Motor Show, as only members of the so-called "Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders" (SMMT) were allowed to exhibit there, i.e. well-known companies with large factories. The small suppliers formed the "British Racing and Sports Car Club" (BRSCC) as a counter-movement, so to speak, and organized their own exhibition in London, the "Racing Car Show". It was held for the first time in 1960 in London's Royal Horticultural Hall and provided space for everyone who wanted to have anything to do with the automobile. In 1961, brands such as Cheetah, E.B. Debonnair, Falcon, Ginetta, GSM, Marcos, Rochdale and TVR were on site ... as well as the only manufacturer from Wales, Gilbern Sports & Components Ltd.

Welcome to Zwischengas!

Continue reading this article for free?

Images of this article

Source: