When I first bought my G3Ls, I wanted to check whether or not it looked right for its year. So I scoured the web for various pictures, but found it very difficult to find a definitive gallery showing all the different models from each of the years. So I though I would start to put my own gallery together instead!
Here are a few of the photo’s I have come across so far. I’ve not checked that all the years of production stated are correct yet, so at the moment they are all listed under the years given by the photographs sources. So be aware that some of the years could be a little out at the moment.
1939
1940
1949
1951
1952
1953
1954
1955
1956
1957
1958
Note: Some of the pictures in the galleries above were found on various other web sites and have therefore been assumed to be for public use. If you are the original owner of any of these photos and would prefer them not to be shown on my web site, please let me know and I will be more than happy to remove them. Thanks.
Hello James,
Just a quick note to let you know that I am the happy owner of one of your 1957 bikes in your photo section. This pic’ looks like it was taken some time before I bought her as it has a new seat and no mirrors nowadays. I have ridden her all over the UK and had many trouble free miles. I am planning to ride to the Faro Rally in Portugal later this year and have absolute confidence in her ability. She now sports a 500cc top end and I am happy to see her on your website.. keep up the good work,
best regards,
David
Hi David,
Nice to hear from you and glad you enjoyed the old photos of your bike. If you have any new photos of your G3 it would be good to add them to the gallery.
Cheers, James
Hi we have just purchased a 1951 G3LS to restore and will find lots of info of this site.
Thanks for the photos now we know what it will look like.
Shirley
hi we have 1956 g3ls matchless to restore and find lot in the site thanks
Hi, James
I have some pictures of some Matchless Motorcycles, as they were in 1947 in a British Army Transport depot in Tel-el-kibir Egypt in 1947, some of the bikes there were Norton’s and these were converted from side-valve to overhead valve by fitting matchless top-ends, by my Uncle and his panzer Grenadier staff!
cheers, John.
Hi John. Would love to see the old Matchless photos if you would like to share them! I’m sure there would be lots of interest in them too from the guys with the old War Division machines.
James 🙂
Hi John
I just bought a Matchless G3 that was shipped back to the USA from Egypt About 6 years ago. I would like to see the pictures you have. Also i need to find out what year it is. Can you help me.
Thanks Bruce
Hi Bruce. You should be able to determine the year from the engine number, see the comments on this page:
https://matchlessclueless.com/mechanical/identification/engine-number/
But your best bet to get a proper dating is to apply for a dating certificate from the owners club based on the engine and frame numbers, see here for info:
http://www.ajs-matchless.com/Dating.asp
Regards, James
hallo, can i ask a question?
I have matchless 1941 g3l in restoration, I can paint it black with chrome tank and red to be original ? I would like to make it civil as they already possess a military .