It is not easy to find an 84-year-old motorcycle in good condition, as is the case with the Matchless G3 WO from 1940 that we show you today. Even less likely is that it was designed by and to fight in a war conflict of the magnitude of World War II, and managed to emerge from it unscathed.
That is why the appearance of this “war veteran” seemed remarkable to us, to say the least. Furthermore, its current owner has decided that it is time to find it a new home, as he told the Bike Bound colleagues in an extensive interview that you can read by clicking here.
If after knowing the history of the model and the specimen in question you want to get this Matchless G3 WOyou can pay the $8,000 that they ask for it and take a piece of history home.
Matchless G3 WO in detail
The Matchless G3 WO, like other models from well-known brands such as Triumph, BSA, Norton or Ariel, served the British Army in one of the most notable battles in our recent history, the Second World War. Specifically, they were used to “deliver messages that could not be trusted over unreliable or insecure telephone or wireless transmissions. This made them instant targets for an enemy eager to capture or, if necessary, destroy the message. For the enemy, shooting the messenger wasn’t a bad idea either.”as pointed out by Legion Magazine.
Apparently, this Matchless G3 WO It is one of the rarest motorcycles of those that were in charge of these tasks in African territory in the early 1940s. Owned by James Russell, it is based on the standard model, the Matchless G3 Clubman and modified according to the requirements of the British Ministry of Defense.
Before its debut on the battlefield, Arthur Bourne, editor of The Motor Cycle, tested it for just over 585 km in a single day, crossing dirt roads and steep terrain that was difficult to access. Bourne was duly impressed.
According to some sources consulted throughout that period, “Matchless provided the military with more than 80,000 G3 machines: 18,300 G3-WO and 63,600 G3/L” (belonging to the second series with telehydraulic fork). According to its owner, this “Matchless G3 WO (War Office) from a year of manufacture, 1940. The WO requested a series of modifications to the civilian version of the G3 sold until 1939 and this year had most of them.”
Continues: “1940 was the last year beam forks were used, as the 1941 G3 was the year Matchless/AJS switched to telescopic forks which perform much better, but I prefer the look of the old beam forks. This motorcycle was shipped new from the factory along with hundreds of other motorcycles to Africa, where it served as a motorcycle to deliver urgent messages between different combat units during World War II.”
After purchasing the Matchless G3 WO explains that: “After spending some time looking at it, I decided not to completely restore it to like-new condition, but to rebuild it and maintain it as if it had survived the war. Not everything is original, as it has been painted different colors many times over the years.”
“And all of the war bikes had constant maintenance and repair work, including engine rebuilds, replacements, and the use of parts like fenders from whatever parts were available to keep them running. Everything on the engine is now rebuilt with NOS parts and the magneto and generator are rebuilt.”
Although the color scheme it looks is not the original, since “It is not the one the British used in Africa; “They used the same dull green that the US used.”in the top toolbox yes “There is a data plate showing that the motorcycle was serviced by the military and sold to the public in 1952.” James also clarifies that “How he ended up in Alaska is part of the mystery of his story. In the top toolbox there is also the original leather case for tools and spare parts which is really great to show to friends.”
After almost three years of reconstruction and only 29 kilometers traveled since then, this 1940 Matchless G3 WO is now looking for a new home. Many spare parts are delivered with it, NOS cylinder head still in wooden box from World War II, empty engine for display, manuals, books, etc.
More information and details by clicking on this link.
