Gordon-Keeble… best Marque of the 60’s?

Gordon-Keeble is truly one of the great European marques of the 1960s, blending Italian design, British engineering prowess and American V8 power. Produced in limited numbers from 1964 to 1967, Gordon Keeble brought a unique recipe of style, performance, and exclusivity.

The brainchild of John Gordon and Jim Keeble, the Gordon-Keeble GT was unveiled at the 1960 Geneva Motor Show. Its design was a collaboration between Giorgetto Giugiaro at Bertone and the innovative engineer, Keeble. The car featured a sleek, Italian-inspired body, which was both luxurious and aerodynamic. Underneath this elegant exterior lay a powerful Chevrolet V8 engine, providing impressive performance.

One of the key features of the Gordon-Keeble was its advanced chassis design. It utilized a square-section tubular steel spaceframe, which was not only strong but also lightweight. This chassis, combined with a fully independent suspension setup, ensured that the car offered superb handling characteristics, rivaling some of the best sports cars of the era.

Performance-wise, the Gordon-Keeble was no slouch. Powered by a 5.4-liter (327) Chevrolet V8 engine, it could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 6.4 seconds and reach a top speed of over 140 mph. These figures were impressive for the time and placed the Gordon-Keeble in the same league as many of the established sports car manufacturers.

Despite its impressive performance and striking design, the brand struggled to find commercial success. Production costs were high, and the car was priced out of reach for many potential buyers. Additionally, the company faced financial difficulties, leading to production being halted in 1967 after only 99 cars were built.

Today, Gordon Keeble is a rare and sought-after classic, with enthusiasts valuing its British, Italian and American history. And, it's exactly the type of thing you can expect to see at this year's EURO, where we're paying homage to these "original hybrids".

photo credit: Steve Glover