1965 Gordon-Keeble GK1 Sports Saloon

Designed and constructed by John Gordon and Jim Keeble, the Gordon-Keeble was produced in very small numbers at the Eastleigh factory near Southampton. This GK1 was number 70 of only 100 produced, and is powered by the 300bhp Chevrolet Corvette derived V8 engine, which fires up well and sounds great and was apparently capable of taking the Gordon-Keeble to 135mph when new, although we probably wouldn’t recommend that now! The engine, coupled to a manual four speed gearbox, is built into a tubular space frame chassis, using disc brakes all round to stop this powerful four seater sports saloon.

The Bertone style body, constructed in fibreglass, obviously does not have any rust problems and still looks good to this day: as they say, a real head turner!  The Gordon-Keeble is not a concours example, but is tidy and boasts a recently re-timmed interior to the original pattern and a smart headlining which was replaced at the same time. The fully loaded dashboard and centre consul is equipped with working instrumentation and the black quilted backing is reminiscent of a fighter aeroplane cockpit. We understand that the body was resprayed twenty two years ago, but now could benefit from some improvement, as could the brightwork in a few areas, such as the front bumper, the right hand rear quarter bumper and the headlamp surrounds; equally the sports saloon could certainly be enjoyed in its present condition. The only mechanical fault we are informed of is a noisy rev counter or cable at quick tick-over.

The motor car is equipped with 15” alloy road wheels fitted with Vredestein radial tyres, and the motor car is fitted with a Golde folding sunroof.

In the current ownership for fourteen years, the GK1 is offered for sale due to poor health and after a period of little use, a recommissioning service is recommended before returning to the road. It is supplied with a winner’s rosette for the ‘best visitor runner up’ at the Bristol Classic Car Show in 2018, a 2014 Beaulieu 50^th Anniversary Gordon-Keeble rally plate and a winner’s leather key ring, together with two handbooks and a large history containing invoices, technical data, correspondence, owner’s club information, old MOT test certificates, the V5C registration certificate and its replacement.

A rare opportunity to purchase an example of British motoring heritage.

ADDENDUM - 8.9.2021

The braking system appears to have lost brake fluid, which will need to be addressed before the car is driven. 

Auction Date: 9 September 2021