Car Collector International
Classic · 1964–1967

Gordon-Keeble GK1

Bertone-styled British GT with a Chevrolet 327 V8 — and the famous tortoise badge.

Car Collector International Editorial
Metallic blue Gordon-Keeble GK1 coupé photographed in a studio, front three-quarter view showing the Giugiaro-at-Bertone styling, twin round headlamps flanking a horizontal chrome grille with tortoise badge, bonnet scoop, chrome bumper and body-colour steel wheels.
OverviewVariants & SpecsBuyer's GuideWhat to PayOwnershipCommon ProblemsValuationAuction ResultsInvestment OutlookRecommended Network
Overview

Why this car matters

The Gordon-Keeble GK1 is a British grand tourer styled by the young Giorgetto Giugiaro at Bertone, with a glassfibre body by Williams & Pritchard on a spaceframe chassis with De Dion rear axle and four-wheel disc brakes. Power comes from a Chevrolet Corvette 327 (5,354cc) V8 driving through a 4-speed manual gearbox.

Shown at Geneva 1960 as the Gordon GT prototype and launched in production form at the Savoy Hotel in early 1964, the GK1 was built at Eastleigh, then Southampton. The marque's tortoise badge dates from an early photoshoot: a pet tortoise wandered into the inaugural session and stayed.

One of the rarest British Anglo-American GTs and the first production commission for the young Giorgetto Giugiaro at Bertone. Provenance, completion history and documented originality are the defining factors.

Variants

Range and production

VariantYearsProductionNotes
GK11964–1967—Production conflicts: 82 cars completed before the 1965 collapse; totals including later completions cited as 99–100 — Verify flag. Power quoted 280–300 hp depending on source — Verify flag. Per Wikipedia/Hagerty.
Buyer's Guide

What to look for

Body, chassis and structural condition

Inspect the glassfibre body by Williams & Pritchard, the spaceframe chassis and the De Dion rear axle carefully. Confirm the extent of any body restoration and originality of panels and trim against a Gordon-Keeble marque specialist. For the GK1 specifically, verify Chevrolet 327 V8 identity, De Dion rear axle originality and the Williams & Pritchard glassfibre body against a marque specialist. Note the production conflict (82 completed pre-collapse; 99–100 including later completions) as a Verify flag.

Engine, gearbox and driveline

Confirm the Chevrolet Corvette 327 (5,354cc) V8 and 4-speed manual against build records where available; verify service and rebuild history against a small-block Chevrolet specialist.

Provenance and completion history

Production totals are contested — 82 cars completed before the 1965 collapse, with totals including later completions cited as 99–100 (Verify flag). Confirm build date and completion history against marque-specialist sources.

Restoration history and originality

Restoration standard, originality of body and driveline, and any documented ownership record are the main value drivers.

Pricing

What to pay

Market overview
A genuinely thin market — around 90 of the 99 cars survive (Hagerty), supply at public auction is rare, and the enthusiastic owners' club means many cars change hands privately. American running gear keeps mechanical upkeep simple; trim and glassfibre-specific parts are the restoration pinch points.

Regional ranges authored independently — each reflects its local market, not an FX conversion

Ownership

Living with it

Typical mileage
1,000–3,000 miles typical
Service interval
Annual by time, plus specialist inspection
Annual running cost
Specialist-dependent; contact a Gordon-Keeble marque specialist for a per-car budget
Fuel economy
Not published
Insurance
Agreed-value classic policy with limited mileage and secure storage. Rarity, originality and documented history are material to underwriting.

Body, chassis and originality

Confirm glassfibre body condition, spaceframe integrity and De Dion rear axle originality against a Gordon-Keeble marque specialist. Restoration standard and documented ownership record are material.

Chevrolet 327 V8

The Chevrolet 327 (5,354cc) V8 was fitted new; service and rebuild competence in the small-block Chevrolet family is essential. Confirm engine identity and specification against build records where available.
Valuation

Current value bands by region

Each region quoted in its local currency — independent market readings, not FX conversions

Auctions

Recent results

DateAuctionCarMileageResult

No recent public auction results currently meet our verification standard. We publish sale figures only from verified examples, and will update this guide as qualifying results become available.

Investment

Long-term outlook

Strong HoldHorizon: 10+ years

Rare Anglo-American British GT with an early Giugiaro-at-Bertone body. Provenance, completion history and documented originality separate the strongest examples.

Our view, not advice. This section is Car Collector International's editorial judgement on where this model sits in the collector market, based on the production, specification and market data set out in this guide. It is not a recommendation to buy or sell and it is not investment advice. Values can fall as well as rise.

Recommended

The trusted network

Specialists

  • Marque specialist (Gordon-Keeble)
    View →
    UK
    Body, trim and mechanical restoration for the Gordon-Keeble GK1 spaceframe and glassfibre body.
  • Chevrolet small-block V8 specialist
    View →
    International
    Service and rebuild competence in the Chevrolet 327 V8 fitted to the GK1.
  • Concours preparation studio
    View →
    International
    Concours-level detail and event preparation.

Storage

  • Windrush Car Storage
    View →
    Cotswolds, UK
    Climate-controlled storage for high-value collector cars.
  • Autovault
    View →
    Bicester, UK
    Secure climate-controlled storage at Bicester Heritage.
  • Hagerty Garage + Social
    View →
    USA (multiple locations)
    Climate-controlled storage in key US collector markets.

Transport

  • CARS UK
    View →
    UK & Europe
    Enclosed event and concours transport across Europe.
  • Reliable Carriers
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    USA (national)
    Enclosed coast-to-coast transport for collector cars.
  • Intercity Lines
    View →
    USA
    Enclosed transport with dedicated supercar handling.
Related

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The valuation figures in this guide are for research purposes only and do not constitute financial or investment advice. See our full disclaimer.