Gordon-Keeble GK1/IT Bertone-Designed V8
The Gordon-Keeble, built from 1964 to 1967, was one of the most elegant and mechanically sophisticated British grand tourers of the 1960s, and one of the rarest. Designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro (then working at Bertone) and engineered by John Gordon, it combined Italian styling with a Chevrolet Corvette V8 engine and a fiberglass body on a steel chassis with De Dion rear suspension.
The body was a masterwork of 1960s design. Giugiaro created flowing lines with a distinctive stacked headlamp arrangement, a long bonnet, and a graceful fastback roofline that was both beautiful and aerodynamically efficient. The fiberglass construction was unusually high quality for the era, with smooth surfaces and precise panel gaps.
The Chevrolet 327 cubic inch (5.4-litre) V8 produced 300 horsepower with a Carter four-barrel carburetor, providing effortless performance for the relatively lightweight fiberglass-bodied car. The engine was smooth, reliable, and powerful, and its American origins ensured that parts would always be available. The Borg-Warner four-speed manual gearbox was well-matched to the engine's broad powerband.
The chassis was cleverly engineered. A tubular steel frame carried the engine and transmission, with independent front suspension using wishbones and coil springs. The rear used a De Dion axle with coil springs and a Watts linkage, providing the handling precision of independent suspension with the axle location benefits of a beam axle. Four-wheel disc brakes provided strong stopping power.
The interior was trimmed to a high standard with leather seats, comprehensive instrumentation, and a walnut dashboard. The cabin offered genuine 2+2 accommodation, with rear seats that were usable for adults on shorter journeys. The driving position was comfortable and the visibility was good.
Despite the car's undoubted quality and appeal, the Gordon-Keeble company was chronically underfunded. The car was priced too low relative to its production costs, and the small company could not achieve the economies of scale needed to make the business viable. Only 99 cars were completed before the company went into liquidation in 1967.
Today, the Gordon-Keeble is one of the most sought-after British grand tourers. Its combination of stunning Giugiaro styling, reliable Chevrolet power, and sophisticated chassis engineering has created a car that is genuinely enjoyable to drive as well as beautiful to behold. All 99 surviving cars are accounted for by the dedicated Gordon-Keeble Owners Club, which provides excellent support for owners.
All 99 cars are known and documented through the Gordon-Keeble Owners Club. The steel chassis should be checked for corrosion. The fiberglass body is generally durable but check for stress cracks and impact damage. The Chevrolet 327 V8 is well-supported by American V8 specialists. The De Dion rear axle requires occasional specialist attention. Interior trim is expensive to restore but the Owners Club can advise on sources. Complete cars are extremely rare on the market. Documentation and provenance are essential.
Only 99 cars were completed before the company's liquidation in 1967. Production took place at premises in Eastleigh and later Southampton. The company was briefly revived but no additional cars were built. The car was sometimes referred to as the Gordon-Keeble IT (International Tourer). All 99 cars are tracked by the Owners Club.