Matchless on the comeback trail

CLASSIC British brand Matchless has been bought by Franco Malenotti, the Italian responsible for the reinvention of Belstaff apparel.

Malenotti has secured the rights to go to market under the Matchless name, and has firm plans in place to build replicas of Matchless classics, the G80, Silver Hawk and Silver Arrow - they will be avaliable in Italy and the UK. There are also plans for a Matchless-branded range of clothing - not hugely surprising considering the new owner's background.

Matchless is one of the oldest brands in British motorcycling, established in 1899 in Plumstead, London. The brand eventually disappeared in 1966 after a series of mergers by holding company AMC swallowed the Matchless name into obscurity. 

Initial plans extend only to low volume production, although the vogue for new versions of retro bikes combined with a successful recapturing of Matchless' traditional reputation for comfort, reliablity and relative affordability might be a winning formula.