Gilbern

Cars of mark Gilbern were made in Llantwit Fardre, Pontypridd in Glamorgan (Wales ) 1959-1973.

The Gilbern Sports Cars ( Components) Ltd.. was by Giles Smith, a butcher, and founded Bernhard Friese, a German engineer with experience in the manufacturing of fiberglass parts, and was one of the few car manufacturers in Wales. Friese had built a prototype for self and the two partners used this as the basis for the first Gilbern automobile. The company's first building was a small workshop in Church Village ( Pontypridd ), but when production began, the company moved into new buildings at the Red Ash Colliery in the village of Llantwit Fardre. First, the cars were available only as kits, and later there was complete cars.

1968, after a search for financial backers, was Gilbern of Ace Capital Holdings Ltd.. bought up, its main business was the manufacture of gaming machines. After the acquisition, Giles Smith left the company and was replaced by the directors Mike Leather and Maurice Collins. 1970 bought the entertainment Mecca Ltd. company. Ace and sold Gilbern to Maurice Collins, who in 1972 sold the company to continue Mike Leather.

The cars were very expensive for its time and its price still increased by the introduction of VAT on kits, so that in 1973 the production had to be stopped.

Rolling stock

Gilbern GT

The coupe Gilbern GT was the first model of the manufacturer. At the same time it was the smallest and weakest motorized model. For the drive four-cylinder engines ensured with maximum 1800 cc. Between 1959 and 1967 caused 280 vehicles.

Gilbern genius

The coupe Gilbern genius was bigger and stronger than the first motorized model. This was provided by a V6 engine with a choice of 2500 cc or 3000 cc capacity for the drive. Between 1966 and 1969 caused 197 vehicles. Successor was the Gilbern Invader.

Gilbern Invader

The Gilbern Invader was released in July 1969 as a successor to the Gilbern genius. A V6 engine of Ford with 3000 cc capacity drove the vehicle. Initially, only a coupe was on offer. 1970 added a Shooting Brake the range. Until the end of production in 1973 caused a total of 603 vehicles.

Gilbern T11

In 1970, this model as a single piece. In 1971 it was exhibited at the Geneva Motor Show. To drive the two-seater coupe was provided by a four-cylinder engine from the Austin Maxi.