Gilbern GT classic cars for sale

History of the Gilbern GT

Gilbern Sports Cars, founded in 1959 by German engineer Bernhard Friese and British butcher Giles Smith, was one of the few car makers in Wales. The company, based in Llantwit Fardre, Pontypridd, Glamorgan, set out to build unique sports cars. Their debut, the Gilbern GT, arrived the same year. This 2+2 coupé was marketed as a kit car: buyers received a fully laminated, painted fibreglass body and only had to install mechanical components themselves. Early GTs used either a 948cc Austin Healey Sprite engine, sometimes paired with a Shorrocks supercharger, or a 1098cc Coventry Climax engine, mounted on a chassis of welded rectangular tubing. Front suspension came from the Austin A35. This construction offered low weight, structural rigidity, and ease of assembly.

Model history of the Gilbern GT

As production continued, Gilbern offered further engine options. BMC B-series units of 1500cc, 1600cc, and—subsequently—1800cc (taken from the MGA and MGB) became available, prompting the rebranding of later cars as the Gilbern GT 1800. Larger engines brought mechanical upgrades like a coil-sprung rear axle. These GTs measured between 3810 mm and 3918 mm in length, had a wheelbase in the 2337–2362 mm range, and heights around 1321 mm. Production ceased in 1967 after 280 examples. Only one car is recorded to have reached Germany, making it an exceedingly rare sight even among British classic cars.

Highlights and statistics on the Gilbern GT

The Gilbern GT’s combination of a fibreglass body, bespoke chassis, and multiple engine choices set it apart from standard British sports cars of the era. Its kit-car status was unique for a Welsh automaker and gave owners personal involvement in final assembly. Low production numbers underscore its rarity today.

Technical data for the Gilbern GT

Special editions and collectible versions of the Gilbern GT

No official limited series or factory special editions are recorded for the Gilbern GT. Every example is noteworthy due to its very limited production (280 units) and the high degree of individualisation possible during kit assembly.

Weak spots and common issues

No detailed weak spots are recorded for the Gilbern GT based on available data. However, given the model’s bespoke nature, attention should be paid to the condition of the fibreglass body (look for cracking or amateur repair), chassis corrosion (particularly in poorly stored examples), and the quality/completeness of kit assembly, as owner skill varied greatly. Check donor parts (engine and suspension) for specific age-related wear and check availability of trim or glass unique to Gilbern.

Engine, transmission and handling

Driving characteristics varied based on engine choice. Early Sprite-powered GTs are nimble but relatively modest in performance, while the B-series powered versions—especially the 1800cc—offered increased output and torque. Independent front suspension, rear coil-sprung axle, and the lightweight fibreglass construction give the GT agile cornering and low overall weight. Gearboxes and running gear were sourced from established British manufacturers, so spares for mechanical components are generally available. Period testing with the 1.6-litre engine puts top speed just over 150 km/h and acceleration from 0–100 km/h at 13.8 seconds per period road test. Owners and reviewers describe direct, communicative steering, responsive brakes (mainly due to low kerb weight), and a raw, mechanical feel typical of British kit sportscars of the time.

Popular models:

• GT 1800: 1800cc BMC engine (from MGB), offering best overall performance and parts availability.
• GT Mk I: Early versions with Sprite or Climax engine, lightest in weight, most basic in specification. undefined

Design: Interior, comfort, exterior

Gilbern GT bodies were manufactured in one-piece lamination for rigidity and reduced build complexity, featuring 2+2 seating—rare among compact British coupés of the era. The interior could be tailored by the owner, but original builds were supplied with complete paint and trim. Unique design cues include frameless side windows and an overall profile that balanced a true coupé silhouette with daily usability. Some GTs feature period-accurate accessories fitted by their first owners, resulting in a wide range of factory and aftermarket steering wheels, seats, radios, and dashboard layouts. No official designer is credited, but Bernhard Friese influenced both chassis and exterior.

Other notable information

The Gilbern GT holds the distinction of being the first post-war production car from Wales and was one of the very few to emerge from the region at all. Kit car status meant every example reflects the tastes and skills of its original assembler, making surviving GTs highly individualised even among a run of only 280 cars.

Summary

The Gilbern GT remains a rare British classic, combining innovative chassis engineering with kit car customisation, and holds a special place in Welsh motoring history. Only 280 were built, all in fibreglass with a broad variety of mechanical options. Each surviving GT is unique, reflecting both the ambitions of its original manufacturer and the hands-on approach of its first owner.