Retro car owners mark 60 years since the supercar's production in Southampton

The owners of sixteen rare retro supercars built in Southampton have returned to the city with their pride and joy to mark the 60th anniversary of production beginning.

Just 99 Gordon-Keebles were constructed in Eastleigh, and later Sholing, between 1964 and 1967 – making them one of the most exclusive cars in the country.

Built by Gordon-Keeble Cars Ltd, the vehicle had a top speed of 140mph, mainly thanks to its V8 engine, and was hailed by Autocar magazine as the fastest four-seater in the world.

To mark the historic occasion, 16 members of the Gordon-Keeble Owners Club gathered at Royal Victoria Country Park on Sunday and droves of residents turned out to see the impressive vehicles in all their glory.

(Image: NQ) President of the Gordon-Keeble Owners Club and Editor of the Owners’ Club Magazine, Roy Dowding, 80, travelled all the way from Suffolk for the event.

Roy said: “The first 82 were made in Eastleigh – at the site which nowadays is Southampton Airport.

“There are 90 Gordon-Keebles left that you can actually touch, 75 of which are on the road.

“Due to the age of these cars they like short journeys but longer one can be challenging.

(Image: NQ)

“They have a Corvette engine and a Jaguar back axel, so they are easy as pie to service – the only issue is if you smash a window or damage a bumper then you need to know a blacksmith.

“The reason these cars are so special is they were the fastest four-seater in the world at the time.”

READ MORE: Spurs will reportedly attempt to 'thrash out' Alcaraz swap

Roy and other members of the Gordon-Keeble Owners Club previously celebrated the car's 50th anniversary in Eastleigh 10 years ago, where 44 Gordon-Keebles were showcased.

On Sunday the 16 Gordon-Keeble owners parked their cars on the green in the shape of a 60 – to mark the anniversary.

Nigel Bowater from Maidenhead had wanted to own a Gordon-Keeble since he was a lad in school.

Nigel Bowater (Image: NQ) He said: “I managed to get this in the last-two years. In the 90s a previous owner spent £120,000 restoring the car.

“Sadly, I have also spent a fair amount of money on it. Part of the attraction for me is they are slightly under the radar and have an incredible story.

“I used to have a picture on my school dormitory wall of a Gordon-Keeble but never thought I would have one myself.”