The Prime Minister has hailed as “world class” the first bike to be unveiled by Gladstone Motorcycles, the new British marque launched by bike-mad telly presenter, Henry Cole.
David Cameron visited the company’s Cotswolds base to view the Gladstone No.1, a handmade Bobber which features the truly classic Triumph T140 engine housed on a Metisse nickel-plated frame designed by Cole.
Said the Prime Minister: “I was delighted to be able to visit Gladstone Motorcycles and to meet such a committed team. Gladstone Motorcycles are delivering a world class product, built right here in West Oxfordshire. It is great to see Britain’s wonderful heritage of superb motorcycle design and manufacture being restored.”
Cole, who presents TV’s World’s Greatest Motorcycle Rides and The Motorbike Show, is CEO of the new venture which claims to be the first bespoke British bike brand since the launch of Hesketh Motorcycles in the 80s. Cole appears as passionate about reviving pride in British motorcycle manufacturing as he is about biking itself, saying: “Gladstone Motorcycles is about creating and showcasing the finest British motorcycle manufacturing skills that are very much alive and well in this country. It’s our passion at Gladstone to not only manufacture limited runs of beautiful British machines but also promote other British motorcycle manufacturers who are doing exactly the same. To have the Prime Minister acknowledge our endeavours and those of others by paying us a visit is a very special occasion.”
Just nine Gladstone No.1s are set to be built, with six of the £23,000 machines already pre-sold and the first set to be delivered next April. The inaugural model has thus far not been displayed to the general biking community; its only public appearance having been at the exclusive, £250 per head Salon Privé event hosted at the Duke of Northumberland’s home, Syon Park. Word reaches Insidebikes though that there are plans afoot to bring the prototype to next month’s Motorcycle Live at Birmingham’s NEC. Keep an eye on the site and our Facebook and Twitter pages for updates.