STEVE HOLE looks at the marvellous Gilbern T11 …
This time in Classic Kit Cars & Specials we look at a Gilbern model that never officially existed in period, the T11, but was finally brought to life years later thanks to the dedication of one man.
It was commissioned in 1969 by the then-new owners of Gilbern Sports Cars (Components) Ltd – the Collings family, owners of one-arm bandit and slot machine kings, ACE Group.
It has been said that the gifted designer Trevor Fiore (Frost) designed the T11, but in subsequent accounts I’ve read, he stated that the final shape wasn’t his design.
I believe that Gilbern part-built one prototype and had enough parts to build another two. However, despite the car being scheduled for launch at the Geneva Motor Show in 1971, Gilbern canned it.
Various reasons have been suggested, such as Gilbern bosses being nervous about moving so far out of their comfort zone, Marcos ceasing trading (an obvious target for the T11 to aim at, as were TVR’s products) and the withdrawal of purchase tax (thus losing the financial benefit of building a car from a kit). However, the fact remains that it was very exciting and surely could have changed the company’s fortunes.
Moving forward to the year 2000, a chap called Gordon Johnston, a Kent-based mechanic and car nut, acquired the unfinished and by now sad-looking prototype that had been sitting outside under a tarpaulin in Dorset. Gordon’s ambition was to complete the T11 and bring it to roadworthy condition, some 30-plus years later.
This is what the Gilbern T11 looked like when he found it languishing under a tarpaulin on a farm in Dorset. A real dedication to the cause and a herculean effort. Pic courtesy of Classic & Sports Car.
He went far and above the call of duty and deserves much praise for his dedication and sheer effort. Gilbern never built a T11, remember. There was nothing to restore. Gordon’s task was more of a full build.
Despite its sexy styling, the car was powered by nothing more exotic than an Austin Maxi 1500cc unit mounted transversely and rear mounted.
Gilbern had never actually fitted doors or a functional interior in period. Gordon managed to source the original body moulds (I believe the good folk at the Gilbern Owners Club played a blinder during the rebuild/restoration process).
There’s a kitcar connection here, too. Gordon took his project to Mel Coppock’s RAW Engineering in Hereford, who fitted the new body and functioning doors. By 2009, the car was completed. Gordon displayed his car at various shows and received much credit for completing his nine-year mission. The car appeared in several car magazine articles, including TKC MAG and was incredibly well-received!
However, in 2011, the car was extensively damaged in a road accident – although luckily Gordon was unscathed. Despite the damage, the car was returned to pristine condition, although the crash had destroyed the rare Austin Maxi gearbox, so a decision was taken to change to a Toyota MR2-spec 4A-GE engine and gearbox.
A Herculean effort was required to get the Gilbern T11 up and running