1959 Matchless G3, Ex-Royal Auxilary Fire Service, Matching Numbers, CS Tank

Description

1959 Matchless G3

One of 457 Royal Auxiliary Fire Service G3s. Rare CS Tank. Matching Numbers

This 1959 Matchless G3 is a great rider with some pretty rare and unique features. It is a well sorted example of the classic Matchless 350CC thumper.   The G3 was first produced for the british military in World War Two. It was actually an evolution of the pre-war G3 but massively improved. lightened. and fitted with teledraulic oil damping forks. the first motorcycle to introduce the fork technology that is still the basis for all modern fork designs. This G3 also happens to be one of 457 G3s ordered for the Royal British Auxuliary Fire Service.

Here's the email I got from the Auxilary Fire Service registrar. David Stapleton:

Hi Angus

You are not going to believe this.

Your Matchless IS an ex AFS (Auxiliary Fire Service) Matchless motorcycle.  Your frame number confirms this and I can tell you from the records that your engine number should be 59/G3 38383. am I correct? {he was}

So there you are. it's always worth a long shot. and my hunch paid off.

Anyway. about your Matchless. we have it in the AFS Matchless Database and I can tell you the following about it:

It’s original British Registration Number was WXR 589 (my own 1959 AFS Matchless is WXR 594 from the same batch).

It was built as part of the third Home Office/Ministry of Supply contract for 50 AFS motorcycles in 1959 – WXR 551 to WXR 600.

It would have been painted in Home Office specification Deep Bronze Green.

It was despatched from the Matchless factory to the Home Office on the 16th July 1959.

After being delivered to the Home Office it was issued to the Yorkshire West Riding Fire Brigade and was station at Royston (Royston is 17 miles from where I now live).

When the AFS was disbanded in 1968 your Matchless was returned to the Home Office and it was placed for sale at a Ministry of Supply auction at MoS Ruddington in Nottinghamshire in Sale Number 100 on the 30th April 1969 as Lot No. 1005.  I have a copy of the original sale catalogue and will send you scan of the relevant page showing your Matchless for sale.

This bike was restored some years ago and fitted with a CS tank. I am told these tanks are very difficult to come by and are worth quite a bit in their own right.

We just had the following work completed on it:

Rebuilt front forks: new seals. spacers and fork oilRefit charging system. Replace damaged stator with used item. Install spacer on stator to take up excess space. Install bushing and seal power lead exit from primary case.  Manually time ignition maximum advance to 39° BTDC with dial indicator and degree wheel.  Install Boyer electronic ignition. Wire into wiring harness. Install new ignition switch. Wire in charging system. Re- mount battery. Install rubber hold down. Install new fuel lines. flush and refit gas tank. seat etc. Fabricate shouldered front brake pivot bolt Re-fit exhaust system to clear kick starter.  Hardware. new Front axle nut. 3 qts Motorcycle oil. Primary oil. Wire. shrink wrap etc.  

Riding the bike you get the quintessential british bike experience. Controls on the wrong side. beautiful sound. and epic looks. The drum brakes are working well. the clutch uptake is smooth. and the Amal carb well tuned. Matchless motors are tend to be pretty bulletproof- that's why they were pretty much the only bike the British military used during WWII. The bike does have some nice patina to it as well as a few touchups on the tank and the frame.  The transmission is a Norton unit. which shifts easily and precisely. You can see from the video below that the bike will start on one or two kicks from cold.

G3s do not often come up for sale on this side of the pond.  An ex-AFS bike with a CS tank is a real piece of history. and we are extremely proud to offer it.

Bike is sold with a clean and clear NY transferrable registration (acts as the title for pre-73 bikes) and will be properly transferred through my licensed NY state dealership.

We can assist with worldwide and national shipping. We ship many vehicles across the country and overseas every month and can get discounted dealer rates.

We specialize in sports cars. vintage European motorcycles. and other interesting vehicles. Northeast Sportscar.

Please call Angus at 631-318-0155 with any questions and for more information.

NOTES. TERMS AND CONDITIONS:

A $1. 00 deposit is due within 24 hours of auction close.

The balance of the funds are due within 72 hours of auction close.

There are no warranties expressed or implied of any kind.

Buyer is responsible for shipping.

I have described the above vehicle to the best or my ability. However I may have missed something. overlooked something. or not been aware of something due to lack of knowledge about it.  

Terms and Conditions of Sale

I take time to carefully describe the vehicle and include a substantial number of photos. However. it is very important to keep in mind that this vehicle is pre-owned. not brand new.   After careful reading of the entire description. rather than making a potentially incorrect assumption. if any statement or comment is unclear. or if you have questions. please e-mail or call me prior to bidding.

At Close of Auction

The successful "winning" bidder must telephone me within 24 hours after the auction has ended to verify purchase and make arrangements to complete the transaction.

A $1. 00 deposit is due within 24 hours of auction close by cash. cashiers check. or wire transfer.

Full payment must be received within 72 hours after the end of the auction. Payment must be certified funds. cash. bank check or wire transfer. If funds are not received. and an alternate arrangement has not been made. the vehicle can and will be made available to other potential buyers on a first-come. first-serve basis.

Shipping

I will assist with shipping arrangements however; the buyer pays all shipping costs.   I do not have any affiliation with. or interest in. any transportation companies and all questions or concerns should be addressed directly with them.

Disclaimer

The vehicle is sold with no warranties expressed or implied. As with any used vehicle. signs of wear may become more obvious under close inspection. such small chips or nicks. light scratches or minor abrasions. and other indications of normal wear and tear. I will not and cannot be held liable or responsible for these issues.

Bidders are entering into a legal and binding contract to purchase the vehicle described above.

Non-paying bidders. unqualified bidding. bid shielding. auction interference or any type of harassment. will be dealt with according to eBay Rules. local law. and may include. but are not limited to. legal action and applicable fees. loss of deposit or any other necessary costs.

I reserve the right to cancel bids and/or our auction at any time for any reason.

Placing A Bid On This Auction Constitutes Acceptance Of These Terms And Conditions And Acknowledgement That You Have Read And Understand All The Information Presented. All sales are final.

  

                    

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