1955 Matchless 497cc G80 'Enduro'
Registration no. unregistered
Frame no. 5576C
Engine no. 55/G80/27221

Although the company never possessed the financial resources of chief rival BSA, Associated Motor Cycles (AMC) established a formidable reputation in off-road competition in the 1950s, winning the British 500cc Moto-Cross Championship on four occasions. In the USA, desert race victories by riders such as Walt Fulton and Bud Ekins ensured a healthy demand for AMC's Matchless G80CS and AJS 18CS scramblers. In 1949 the production scramblers received the new swinging-arm frame that the works team had enjoyed since 1948, though the trials models kept the rigid back end. The scrambles engine went all-alloy for 1950 and subsequently received different cams and larger valves before being redesigned with short-stroke dimensions (86x85.5mm bore/stroke in the 500's case) for 1955. A new duplex frame appeared for 1960 and there were further engine improvements as AMC continued to develop its four-stroke scramblers to the end of production in 1969, but by then the days of such heavyweight machines were at an end.

Purchased in the USA, this G80 is presented in what might be termed 'enduro' specification, complete with lights, and represents a rare opportunity to acquire one of these powerful yet usable off-road motorcycles, ideal for 'green laning'. Not used since importation, the machine is offered with a US Certificate of Title.