If you’ve been following the blog, you’ll know I recently bought my first classic car: a 1966 Gilbern GT. In case you missed it, I wrote about why I bought this rare Welsh-built car and the story of its previous owner here:
Why I Bought the Welsh Car You’ve Probably Never Heard Of
As a first-time classic car owner – and Gilbern owner – I’ll be totally upfront: I have no idea what I’m doing.
Modern cars have made me soft. I’m used to power steering, Bluetooth, touchscreens, air con that works… The Gilbern has none of that. It’s like stepping back in time – and honestly, that’s half the charm. It’s raw, mechanical, and every drive feels like a mini adventure. That said, I knew I’d need a helping hand, which is why I joined the Gilbern Owners Club.
Why Join the Club?
For just £40 a year, it’s a no-brainer. The support and community are worth far more than that. Membership includes:
-
Local group meet-ups
-
Help and advice on buying, owning, and running a Gilbern
-
Technical guidance (ideal for someone like me)
-
Access to two spare parts schemes – new and second-hand
-
Monthly magazine Rarebit (which is brilliant, by the way)
-
Representation at classic shows and events
-
Invites to motoring events, hill climbs and sprints
The Club also keeps a registry of all known Gilberns – so if you’re ever looking to buy one, reach out. There’s a good chance they’ll know the car’s history, which is invaluable when dealing with classics.
I’ve already found the members to be incredibly friendly and helpful – even when I’ve asked a few rookie questions (some of which I probably could’ve Googled, but hey, live and learn).
My First Gilbern Meet – Vale of Glamorgan
With the car barely settled in my garage, I recently took it on my longest trip yet: a meet-up with the South Wales group of the Owners Club, out in the Vale of Glamorgan.
The weather? Glorious. Warm, dry, sunny – the kind of day you want to be out in a classic. The route included a bit of everything – dual carriageways, 20mph zones, national speed limit roads, roundabouts and traffic lights. The GT handled it all beautifully (and without complaint, unlike its driver at a few points).
When I arrived, there were around a dozen of us – a few familiar faces and some new ones, like myself. I’ll admit, I felt slightly out of place at first. It’s always a bit daunting showing up somewhere new, especially when you’re the least experienced person in the room. But I was quickly put at ease by Simon, Mark, Peter, and the rest of the group. They were welcoming, chatty, and clearly passionate about the cars.
Of course, I made the classic rookie mistake: I left my lights on. Embarrassingly, someone had to point it out. But it was all taken in good humour – and to be fair, it probably won’t be the last time I do something like that.
Lined Up and Learning
It was brilliant to see my GT lined up alongside a handful of Invaders and other Gilberns. Some members still own theirs, others were just along for the company and conversation, having owned one in the past. That’s one of the nicest things about this community – even if the cars move on, the people often stay.
There’s so much to take in. From mechanical know-how to trim details and part sourcing, I’m very much still learning. But I’ve already realised that being part of the Owners Club is like gaining a support network of friendly, knowledgeable enthusiasts who genuinely want to help.
Final Thoughts
Owning a Gilbern might not be the most conventional car decision I’ve ever made – but it’s already proving to be one of the most rewarding. If you’ve got a classic tucked away, or are considering buying one, I’d absolutely recommend finding a community like this.
And if you’ve never heard of Gilbern before, I wouldn’t blame you. But I can promise you this: once you do, it’s hard not to fall a little bit in love.
