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First seen in 1960 as the prototype Gordon GT (and inspired by the Corvette-powered Peerless created by Jim Keeble and John Gordon) the Gordon Keeble didn't go into production until 1964, and then only falteringly, renamed GK1. It sounded like an ideal recipe for commercial success: cheap American V8 muscle, Italian styling and British chassis know-how.
With a 300 bhp engine from the Chevrolet Corvette and a lightweight spaceframe clothed in glassfibre, the Gordon Keeble was devastatingly quick - good for 70 mph in first and nearly 140 mph in top. Its handling was tidy, too, the De Dion rear axle providing grip, balance and a good ride, although the unassisted steering suffered from too much kickback. The simple, restrained four-seater coupe shape, with its elegantly slanted twin lamps, was the work of 21-year-old prodigy Giugiaro - then chief stylist at Bertone.
By 1965, only 80 cars had been built as the fledgling company battled with component-supply problems and under-capitalisation. Had the factory - based at Eastleigh, Southampton on the site of the local airport - been able to build the cars quickly enough, there is no doubt the GK would have been a success. Some said it was underpriced. A further 19 were built under new management in 1966, but the company closed its doors that same year.
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