Heritage

Bright Future with Deep Roots

1878
In 1899, Henry Collier, a bicycle manufacturer since 1878, founded Matchless Motorcycles, a motorcycle manufacturing company.

In 1901, the first motorcycle was produced. Matchless expanded its business to include the production of clothing specifically designed for the comfort and safety of motorcyclists.
The two Collier brothers made Matchless motorcycles famous by winning numerous trophies (including the Tourist Trophy on the Isle of Man by Charles Collier in 1909 and 1911).

Matchless gained further visibility with the production of the first women's motorcycle in 1912 and the launch of the Silver Arrow models in 1929 and Silver Hawk in 1930.

In 1938, Matchless London acquired the brands AJS, Sunbeam, Norton, and Indian (including the factory in the USA) and the AMC (Associated Motorcycle Companies) was established. Production was carried out for all brands at the legendary Plumstead Road factory in London and in the former Indian factory in the USA. During this period, Matchless developed significant expertise in leather clothing for both protection and elegance for motorcyclists.
Between 1940-42, during World War II, Matchless produced numerous two-wheeled vehicles, including 80,000 motorcycles of the G3 and G3L models for the Allied forces.

At the end of the 1950s, Matchless expanded its expertise to include off-road clothing, used in motocross circuits and tested by Malcom Smith (the most important icon of Motocross and Enduro of that era).

In the post-war years, Matchless was an absolute leader in British and international motorcycle production.

Thanks to effective advertising campaigns in the 1960s, Matchless showcased for the first time the combination of motorcycles and elegance, allowing the brand to be identified as a mix of performance, technicality, and elegance.

Heritage

The Great Innovations

Matchless is always at the forefront of technology in the motorcycle sector. Its history is a long series of great innovations.

The V-twin engine

The V-twin engine with overhead valves

The water-cooled V-twin engine

The inline four-cylinder engine

The V4 engine

The racing engine with a supercharger

The single overhead camshaft engine

The telescopic fork

The silent block mounted engine

The motocross rear suspension

The flat track motorcycle

The cafè racer

The most successful racing motorcycle of all time: the G50

Heritage

The Story Goes On​

2013
In 2013, the Malenotti family acquired the Matchless brand.

In 2014, the brand registration was extended to all major markets, and a relaunch plan was announced, aimed at renewing and developing the brand by leveraging the Malenotti family's expertise and the brand's heritage.

In 2015, the family created the first prototype of a Matchless leather jacket: the Kensington Jacket. Costumes for many films have been made starting from this period.
In 2015, on the occasion of the 115th anniversary of its founding, Matchless presented to the public and the press a prototype (The MODEL X RELOADED) simply to demonstrate that Matchless can still innovate in the motorcycle field. The Model X, in fact, while aesthetically and rigorously recalling the past, introduces numerous innovations that are subject to patents.

Matchless is alive and continues to innovate!
In December 2016, Matchless opened the Legacy Store in Veneto, in 2017 it opened in London, and in 2018 in Milan.

In 2017, the store in Monaco opened.

In 2017, the collaboration with Arnold Schwarzenegger's "After School All Stars" foundation began.
In 2019, Matchless held the "Street Fashion Show" with models riding scooters at Milan Fashion Week.

In 2020, Matchless introduced and industrialized the new "E-mission Collection."

In December 2020, Matchless Legacy London moved to the Regent Street location with a new omnichannel concept.

In 2021, the production of electric bicycles began with a model named "Model Y," a unique case of a perfect blend between vintage and technology.

Also in 2021, Matchless initiated a collaboration with H-Farm for the implementation and development of social media channels.

Also in 2021, Matchless filed 3 patents in the electric traction sector, which are set to COMPLETELY REVOLUTIONIZE THE MOTORCYCLE INDUSTRY.

From 2021 to 2024, we've had the honor of collaborating with iconic film franchises. Our custom leather jackets graced the screens of Mission Impossible, House of Gucci, and Venom 2, adding a touch of elegance to legendary characters portrayed by Tom Cruise and Tom Hardy. Experience the intersection of fashion and film at Matchless, where craftsmanship and timeless style reign supreme. Explore our website to discover more about our cinematic journey and Italian heritage. Join us as we continue to create new stories and share the magic of Matchless with the world.