Introduced to replace the Genie in 1969, the Gilbern Invader was a squat and purposeful GT which looked like a cross between Bertone's Alfa Romeo 105 Series Coupe and Vignale's Maserati Sebring, not bad for a car entirely designed and built in Wales.

This Invader Mk. II is one of only around 200 made between 1971 and 1972. It comes with a large and interesting history file, the original purchase invoice showing that it was supplied new in component form to a Mr T Wilcox of Truro in September 1971 and cost the princely sum of £1,869.98. A letter from Gilbern reminded Mr Wilcox that to dodge purchase tax, “Delivery must be made to the customer's private address” and “Assembly must be carried out without paid professional assistance”! Invoices show that he did indeed carry out most of the build himself.

Mr Wilcox kept the car until 2008 and it then briefly had an owner in Sheffield before being acquired by an Ammanford gentleman in 2009. He treated it to a ground-up restoration which took almost 10 years to complete, with bills on file for well over £14,000.

The full extent of the work carried out is far too detailed to list in full here but is amply covered in dozens of invoices in the history file. Highlights include original Ford Essex 3.0 V6 fully rebuilt to Stage 3 spec by Specialised Engines of Essex, new Weber carb, bespoke aluminium radiator, overdrive gearbox rebuilt, new clutch kit, twin stainless steel fuel tanks with separate switchable fuel pumps, bespoke stainless steel sports exhaust, stainless steel bumpers, full interior retrim including leather seats and door cards and burr walnut woodwork, all new instruments and powder coated wheels with Michelin tyres.

Finally finished in March 2018, it flew through an MoT test with no advisories recorded and has only covered some 200 miles since. The car won 'Best on Parade' at the Gilbern Owner's Club which is testament indeed to its overall condition.

Supplied with a large and interesting history file and a current V5 registration document, this is a great looking, reasonably-priced, sportscar. Consigned by James Good

Lot details
Year: 1972
Make: Gilbern
Model: Invader Mk. II
Registration: CAF 296K
Chassis No: 1N1283
Engine No: 9D342
Odometer: 52,069

* Recently restored at a cost of over £14,000
* One of approximately 200 made between 1971 and 1972