Miguel Sánchez
In the history of English motorsport Gordon-Keeble is a brand for beginners. Although, in fact, one does not know very well where to nationalize its only model: the GK-1. On the one hand, the conception of the vehicle and the commercial register of the company mark us a clearly British origin. However, the mechanics could not be more American. In addition, the design is so Italian that it is signed by Giorgetto Giugiaro himself. A multinational mix that was echoed by the car's own advertising, ending with a "Four passengers of the nationality you want".
Be that as it may, the truth is that the Gordon-Keeble story has remained an interesting footnote in the annals of British industry. An industry whose automotive landscape has always featured a large number of small independent manufacturers who have mounted big brand engines on handcrafted chassis. Precisely the formula that this company repeated with the GK 1. Of course, moving away from the typical small short-run sports cars to get closer to the great GTs of the moment.
An ambition that cost them their existence. Since, to compete with Jaguar or Aston Martin, you don't only need a good product. But also the logistical capacity to commercialize it and the financial capacity to produce it on a large scale. An accounting failure that, although it ruined Gordon-Keeble, previously allowed it to bequeath one of the most interesting English sports cars of the sixties. A GT capable of looking from you to you in power with the icons of the moment, which is today a car for true connoisseurs. In short: English class. Despite the Chevrolet engine and the Bertone body.
GORDON-KEEBLE GK-1. FACING EVERYTHING FORECAST
Creating a plant for mass production is not easy. However, John Gordon and Jim Keeble had a clear vision of the matter. Or at least they believed it. The first came from the world of small-scale motorsports, having built models like the Peerles GT. Another of the many English sports cars assembled by hand from Triumph parts and then covered with a fiberglass body. The second ran a workshop, to which a pilot had come precisely to have an American V8 installed in the engine compartment of a Peerles GT.
Thus, we suppose that in a natural way - and perhaps with the emboldening that a few more pints give - came the idea of making a handcrafted chassis on which to mount a powerful, large-displacement V8. Of course, as our two protagonists wanted to do things well, Bertone was used to dress the outfit. Italian firm in which a very young Giorgetto Giugiaro was already working, to whom the mission was entrusted. Thus, the prototype was presented at the 1960 Geneva Motor Show.
An interesting fact, since although the headlights and a certain general line may suggest that the Gordon-Keeble is inspired by the lancia flaminia gt… Actually this one appeared just a year after our protagonist.
Conspiracy theories about the world of Italian industrial design, the truth is that The GK-1 was presented with an engine from the Corvette C1 with 4 liters and 6CV at 236 rpm. Device mounted on a chassis with square section tubes covered by the body in thin steel panels. A set with more than 1.400 kilos, equipped with disc brakes and a four-speed gearbox.
Everything is as interesting on the engineer's desk as it is worrisome on the accountant's. And it is that, despite having made a great vehicle, Gordon-Keeble did not accumulate enough capital to satisfy orders with mass production. Situation that, for the moment, condemned to wait four years until the relaunch of the GK-1.
SECOND ROUND. GORDON-KEEBLE LAUNCHES INTO MANUFACTURING
After four years of hesitation, investor search and entrepreneurial adventures, Gordon-Keeble again introduced its GK-1. Of course, at that time there had been various changes. The first of these was the relocation of the facility to a more professional assembly line in Southhampton. The place where some 93 units were to be manufactured in less than a year, all of them with substantial changes compared to the 1960 prototype. The first of these is that the body was no longer made of steel but of carbon fiber. An important fact, since according to some sources related to the current environment of GK-1 owners this helped a possible lightening of up to 200 kilos.
However, the most important modification was under the hood. And it is that, during those years, General Motors launched the second generation of the Corvette. For this reason, the agreement between the two companies had to be updated regarding the supply of engines, which became those of 5 liters mounted on the C3. An improvement that increased power to 284CV at 5.000 rpm. A definite contraption on the straights, because of the GK-1's own approach and the behavior of this engine in low revs… We are not talking about a Lotus to succeed on twisty roads.
A reflection that is not really negative, since the Gordon-Keeble had the luxury GT segment in its sights. Something to which, due to performance and finishes, it could have aspired normally but which, nevertheless, never reached. This was helped by the constant financial problems of the brand, which did not have the financial capacity to manufacture all possible orders. One of those paradoxical stories where a small manufacturer dies due to an unexpected success that is impossible to face. Trajectory that had its swan song from 1965 to 1967, with the sale of the company by the founders to two new owners.
Two men who could not do more than about 10 GK-1, being unable to solve the constant liquidity problems. Of course, over time the Gordon-Keebles are well priced jewelry within the British market. A kind of British Facel-Vega that, due to their rarity and history, are cars for true connoisseurs.
PHOTOGRAPHS: PENDINE CARS FOR SALE / GORDON-KEEBLE
