G5 production numbers

[manfredschotten]

Does anyone know how many Matchless G5 and how many AJS 8 where made?
Is there a list somewhere on the site?
Many thanks
Manfred

[Rob Harknett]

AMC only provided the trade with start numbers. From then on untill they were discontinued, no numbers were given from which to see production figures. Perhaps factory records give more detail. Remember these records are hand written, although many many hours were spend by a club committee member transfering the data to computer, BUT, a long time ago when computers were still in their infantcy. It would if possible take a lot of work for our dating officer to research this question, for which, as far as I know, has no fee stated to do the research work.
Even if possible, by using just first and last numbers. It would still not confirm how many Matchless or AJS were made as both margues shared the same numbering seris. The G5 & Mod 8 only lasted about 2 1/2 years. The total number of both marques may well had been only about 800.

[les ward]

When I was machine dating officier I would sometimes get similar questions, but fortunately in the 1980s Johnny Allen (club historian) had done some research based on the factory records which was printed in the Jampot. So thanks to John Allen's endeavours we do have some idea of production figures. John made total Lightweight production 18489, of which 3029 were G5/model 8 (1860 in 1960 and 1169 in 1961) . Remember he was working from handwritten records covering 20 years or more so there may be a margin of error. He found it too difficult to separate AJS and Matchless production figures.

[Rob Harknett]

Thats a surprise, the highest surviving number I found, for a 1961 model was only 678 higher than the start number.
Theres very few known surviving examples.

[manfredschotten]

Thank you, Les and Rob
Very nice to have that information, even if not a 100% correct but it gives a good idea.
I assume it was only produced for 2 years? So a fairly rare model.
Thanks again.
Manfred

[Rob Harknett]

You never gave your frame & engine numbers Manfred, so you are not aware if you have an early or later bike produced.
I am the clubs prewar officer, I keep a data base of surviving bike numbers, which can be used to answer question's like you asked.
They give some idea of numbers when no factory information is known. For example I see only the highest number known for G5 / Mod 8
indicates 678 only known to be made, theres no proof of a higher number, unless John Allen found proof we need to rediscover..

[cbranni]

Hi Rob, my G5 has engine number 61/G5 3422, frame number 14629 with VMCC dating cert, Bacon states G5/8 engine numbers start at 500 for 1959 and 2237 for 1960, but nothing recorded for 1961. Frame numbers start at 6020 for 1959 and 10183 for 1960 and again nothing for 1961, all very confusing
Maybe 1961 records were lost.
Colin

[Rob Harknett]

Thats because Bacon is right and wrong or you have read it incorrectly Colin. If you have not read incorrectly, then lets assume Bacon was correct with the numbers. But wrong with the years. The G5 & Mod 8 was introduced September 1959. Note SEPTEMBER 1959. That is the start of the 1960 model year. Production statrted on 1960 models Sept 1st 1959 hopefully to be available for sale at and after the 1959 motor cycle show. So the numbers given were for 1960 models not 59, and 1961 models not 1960, and 1962 not 1961, The G5 & mod8 were discontinued July 1962, thats before the 1962 model year ended on August 31st. The model year can be confusing, example It ran from Sept 1st 1959 to Aug 31 st 1960 for the 1960 model year. Which as stated would be on sale at and after the 1959 motor cycle show. Confusing sometimes when you get a 1960 model regestered in about November / December 1959, So never go by regestration date to date a machine, always date the machine numbers, and for the DVLA, its the frame date that dates a machine. ( there are some exemptions )
Almost all manufacturers since time began, used September 1st to start production on NEXT YEARS models in time for the car and bike shows
usualy held end of Oct start of Nov,. It they started production Jan 1st you would be midway through the year before you may take delivery for that years model.

[Rob Harknett]

Just noticed Colin, there were no 1959 models although you could have a 1960 model registered from about Nov 1959 onwards, so correct the model years for the start numbers, that then makes it nothing stated for 1962 models. Now you can see you bike numbers look OK for 1961.

[cbranni]

Excellent answer Rob, understand now, thanks for taking the time
Colin