1950 Matchless 348cc G3L

Registration no. LGC 376 Frame no. 53252 Engine no. 50/SG3L 13701

Weighing as much as the 500cc model from which most of them were derived, but considerably less powerful, the typical British 350 of the 1950s was not likely to be anyone's first choice as a fast sports bike. Rather, these honest, workaday mounts were chosen for other reasons, chiefly their inherent strength, dependability and economy. AMC's offerings in this important market sector were the Matchless G3L and AJS Model 16, models identical in all essential respects, tank badge and magneto position excepted. Testing one of these stalwarts in 1961, Motor Cycling recorded a modest mean top speed of 76mph but found that when toured at a relaxed pace across country an excellent 86 miles per gallon was achievable. Although limited, Motor Cycling's experience confirmed that such a machine was light on the pocket, "both for running costs and for the equally important, though less easily assessed, maintenance/repair factor". First registered on 5th March 1950, this Matchless G3L is an example of the rare 'Candlestick' model, so called because of the shape of its shock absorbers, which use a fixing different from that of the successor 'Jampot' units. 'LGC 376' was purchased by the private vendor in March 2017 and is described by him as in good condition, having last been run in 2019. Accompanying documentation consists of a V5C Registration Certificate.