Gordon-Keeble history sought.

[JeffreyB]

I wonder if the collective memories of the members of this forum can help me in tracing the early history of my Gordon-Keeble.

My car is chassis number 12 and carries the registration number DPG726B. It was initially registered in Reading in 1964 and was originally Italian Red with a red interior. I acquired the vehicle in 1993 in the condition shown in the photo and restored it over the following 3 years. The second photo shows the car as it is now.

The history of the car is known from 1972. However when DVLA took over the records from the Local Registration Offices they lost many records and my car was just one of the many whose previous history disappeared. The Gordon-Keeble Owners Club maintain ownership records but have no ownership information prior to 1972.

Does anyone have any recollection of this car from 1964 to 1972?

[balls-out]

I can't help, but am insanely jealous that you own such a thing.

Is the second photo from a Goodwood FOS or revival - I remember admiring a lovely GK there a couple of years ago.


good luck and thanks for ensuring it was saved.

[JeffreyB]

Thanks for the good wishes. Owning this car is the realisation of an ambition I had from being a teenager in 1964. I've never regretted it and I still get a real buzz from driving it (and sad case that I am, from just looking at it!). The photo was taken at Cholmondley Castle so it wasn't the one you saw at Goodwood.

[esso]

Its great to read that a car you have owned over 20 years still gives you a buzz and puts a smile on your face when you look at it and drive it,its a feeling that lets you know your driving the `right` car. I have `only` owned my TVR Cerbera 9 years but I get exactly the same feeling about it
Beautiful car by the way.

[Willhire89]

You could drop V10Mike a pm - unless you are already in contact with him

http://www.pistonheads.com/members/showcar.asp?car...

[JeffreyB]

Thanks for the kind words esso - I'm a fan of the Cerbera too!
Willhire - thanks for the suggestion. V10Mike is a fellow member of the GKOC. Unfortunately the GKOC records for my car are the briefest of them all due, no doubt, to it having been dismantled and 'lost' for so many years.

[Hedgehopper]

There seems to be a lot of Gordon Keeble interest on this site....someone might help you.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[JeffreyB]

Thanks Hedgehopper. I've done as you suggested - here's hoping!

[Heaveho]

JeffreyB said:

Thanks Hedgehopper. I've done as you suggested - here's hoping!

Best to sell it cheap, can't be worth much with little history, might be able to help you there.........................

It's a lovely car, I'm very jealous, if you couldn't tell.

Huntsman has the one that was in our family in the 70's, looking forward to it being recommissioned.

[StuntmanMike]

JeffreyB said:

Thanks for the good wishes. Owning this car is the realisation of an ambition I had from being a teenager in 1964. I've never regretted it and I still get a real buzz from driving it (and sad case that I am, from just looking at it!). The photo was taken at Cholmondley Castle so it wasn't the one you saw at Goodwood.

I dont blame you, that is stunning, well done for seeing it through, cant have been easy.
Any more pictures.

[StuntmanMike]

that use the same backlights as the DB4?

[JeffreyB]

Thanks Heaveho for the kind offer to take it off my hands…. As it’s mine for life I hope you’ll have to wait for a while!

StuntmanMike – the rear lights aren’t the same as a DB4. The GK rear lights are Altissimo and I believe the DB4 lights are Lucas 548 – that should be etched in my memory as they were also fitted to the Peerless GT and the last job I did on the restoration of my Peerless some years ago was to fit a pair of brand new Lucas 548 lights. They were difficult to get hold of even then and I was very pleased to have found a pair of new ones. The day after I’d fitted them my wife reversed her car into the Peerless – you’ve guessed it, the only damage was to those new lights!
Thanks for the kind words about my GK - here are a few more photos as requested:

[coppice]

What an achingly gorgeous car- one of my all time favourites. As I am an old git I remember the Motor road test of the GK1 (I was about 14)and fell in love; on a trip to London in late 60s I actually saw one and my life became complete . Regularly see them at Gold Cup , Silverstone Classic etc and always have to admire that shape. I love the CV8 an 409 from the same era but the GK and the original Elan are still the most attractive British cars ever. E Type ? Get out of here .....!

[droopsnoot]

JeffreyB said:

The photo was taken at Cholmondley Castle so it wasn't the one you saw at Goodwood.

I thought I recognised the car, or perhaps the plate. I'm probably in the background of that shot somewhere (though maybe not quite in shot), we're usually off to the far right hand side at CC show.

[Mellow Yellow]

JeffreyB said:

Thanks Heaveho for the kind offer to take it off my hands…. As it’s mine for life I hope you’ll have to wait for a while!

StuntmanMike – the rear lights aren’t the same as a DB4. The GK rear lights are Altissimo and I believe the DB4 lights are Lucas 548 – that should be etched in my memory as they were also fitted to the Peerless GT and the last job I did on the restoration of my Peerless some years ago was to fit a pair of brand new Lucas 548 lights. They were difficult to get hold of even then and I was very pleased to have found a pair of new ones. The day after I’d fitted them my wife reversed her car into the Peerless – you’ve guessed it, the only damage was to those new lights!
Thanks for the kind words about my GK - here are a few more photos as requested:

...just hope you don't have to locate anoter set of the Altissimo ones, as I'm sure you're aware they are from a Ferrari 250GTE, there was a US spec set on Ebay last year, four figure price and you'd still have needed european lenses and re-chroming.

[JeffreyB]

droopsnoot said:

I thought I recognised the car, or perhaps the plate. I'm probably in the background of that shot somewhere (though maybe not quite in shot), we're usually off to the far right hand side at CC show.

The photo's were taken on the public car park - I wasn't allowed in as I hadn't pre-booked. I much prefer the informality of the 'just turn up and show' events such as Gawsworth Hall but I recognise that many organisers have to deal with the venue providers/insurance rules (no vehicle movements allowed, no leaving early, don't park there etc, etc). I make an exception for Tatton Park but even there I often just park in the public car park.

[JeffreyB]

Mellow Yellow said:

...just hope you don't have to locate anoter set of the Altissimo ones, as I'm sure you're aware they are from a Ferrari 250GTE, there was a US spec set on Ebay last year, four figure price and you'd still have needed european lenses and re-chroming.

Yes, they are still there with a 'buy it now' price of 1250 dollars.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fiat-1200-1500-Cabrio-Co...

[The Surveyor]

JeffreyB said:

Yes, they are still there with a 'buy it now' price of 1250 dollars.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fiat-1200-1500-Cabrio-Co...

Cheaper on italian ebay:-

http://www.ebay.it/itm/1200-spider-1500-spider-160...

Lovely car by the way OP

[Mellow Yellow]

The Surveyor said:

Cheaper on italian ebay:-

http://www.ebay.it/itm/1200-spider-1500-spider-160...

Lovely car by the way OP

That's gutting, they've just sold for under £500, ridculously cheap for a new pair. Wrong style for mine but I'm sure there's a a GK owner who'd have snapped them up at that price.

[Mellow Yellow]

Oh, and if anyone knows anything about this one, or has photos (especially before it was yellow), it'd be great to hear from you.