MEGA-RARE 1958 PEERLESS GT COMPLETE WITH CORRECT SPEC TR3 EQUIPMENT

The Peerless GT was a unique sports tourer made between 1957 and 1960 with only 325 cars built at the factory in Slough. Around 70 of this number were built as left-hand drive and exported. leaving ANY RIGHT HAND DRIVE PEERLESS as one of the rarest Brit classics that you could ever wish to find from that era! It is believed that only 40 examples of the 325 built still exist.

This particular example has been a local car for 50 years and has the registration REF 609. It is car number 63. meaning it was the 63rd to be built and it was registered on October 3. 1958. Make no mistake. this is an incredibly rare and intriguing find. The Peerless. which was famous for competing in such events as the Le Mans 24-hour and out-stripping the likes of Ferrari. managed to reach such heights thanks to its world-famous TR3 engine and running gear. In 1959 a Peerless finished 16th. battling in a 3-litre class against Ferrari. Aston Martin and Jaguar. The same year. a Peerless finished 1st in its own class. The fibreglass body was designed to be a four-seater tourer. and the car was acclaimed thanks to the decision to fit it out with TR3 equipment - even down to the dash clocks! The Peerless GT was known as the "Thinking man's TR3". And. believe it or not it cost £1490 new when the TR3 came in at just under £1k! It was also faster than the TR3 thanks to its fibreglass body and its aerodynamics. It was. in essence. a racing car born into the 1950s and yet a unique vehicle capable of transporting the family in 4-seat comfort. This proud old girl. finished in British Racing Green. has just emerged  from a 20-year hibernation in warm. comfortable and dry storage. And. with very little encouragement. we had her running in no time at although at the moment the clutch pedal is stuck hard (hydraulics). She is all there and is not to be mistaken for any other you may find - if indeed you are able to find one - that may have had its engine and box removed for example. She is just as she ought to be and still has the original seats. although they needs replacing.   The original TR3 clocks and steering wheel are still in place. The steering wheel is a proper TR3 wheel with period wood rim. A fantastic touch! She will of course need some degree of re-commissioning work. having been stored since 1993. The body shell is incredibly straight and strong (they must have used much stronger fibre glass then) with only the paintwork peeling. mainly on the scuttle and front wings. The enormous sills seem good - each sill houses a fuel tank - and the underside is mainly good too. We jacked it up by its front crossmember and all the structure seemed decent. The original leather ha perished but it is the ORIGINAL with air vents in the back rests. They can be used as patterns for replacements.

This is an exceptionally rare opportunity to acquire a piece of "forgotten" British motoring heritage.   Doubtless too expensive at the time. the company quickly went bankrupt. But the steel space frame of the Peerless lived on. forming the basis of the first Gordon-Keeble. the GK1. John Gordon had been involved with the production of the Peerless and. so even after its early demise. the dream lived on. Just take a look at any image of the first and stunning Gordon Keeble - produced in collaboration with garage owner Jim Keeble - and you will see the similarity in GT design. This particular Peerless has spent virtually all her life in this neck of the woods and I can remember the same car around 20 years ago when it still had white "racing spots" on the doors. They have since been removed. but the small lights fitted in order to illuminate the racing numbers are still in evidence. I have described her as I perceive her to be and expect serious interest indeed in this fascinating 1950s classic. Payment in full please within 48 hours of purchase. This is not a car for dreamers. I can assist with delivery if required.

Bear in mind. this is a project albeit an exceptionally rare vehicle.

Here are two links to rare Peerless adverts to give you an idea of values!

http://www. carandclassic. co. uk/car/C181579

http://www. classiccars. co. uk/peerless_gb/gt/advert/11765

Thanks for reading. Martin (07595-020282).

"Once a car-mad kid. always a car-mad kid"

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