Another Barn find: The Saga of Matchless, 61/G50/1792 

It all started in Plumstead, London, at the Matchless/AJS works where the final batch of G50’s were being readied for the 1961 racing season. Some of these went to Dick Mann, Don Vesco, and Team Hansen. One went to an Isle of Man competitor under circumstances lost to history. But he performed several special improvements to help the bike withstand the rigors of the legendary “Mountain Circuit.” 

Later in the 1960’s #1792 showed up in California where it raced at Vacaville and other circuits. Harry Webster and Carl Stone were mentioned. It passed to Al Lauer from Auburn, never to be raced again. Garnet Lewis bought it, then the late Mike Simning in the late 1970’s. Mike spent years tidying up #1792. Dick Mann went through the motor. Still it sat, partly disassembled and unused. Then Mike’s estate sought out Team Obsolete. 

A deal was struck. Upon its arrival in Brooklyn we swarmed over this artifact. Total disassembly! Motor blueprinted. Meticulous re-assembly. It all came full circle.