The premises were a tiny workshop in Church Village, Pontypridd but when production started the business moved to a new location at the old Red Ash Colliery at nearby Llantwit Fardre.
[2][3] Gilberns have often been entered in competition at the Wiscombe Park Hillclimb, first appearing there in 1962 in the hands of an Aston Martin Owners Club member.
[4] In 1968, following a search for a cash injection, Gilbern was taken over by Ace Capital Holdings Ltd, whose main business was the manufacture of slot machines.
[1] Following the takeover Giles Smith left the company to be replaced by Mike Leather and Maurice Collins as joint managing directors.
Although usually supplied in kit form, the body was provided fully trimmed and painted leaving the purchaser to only complete the mechanical items.
It could be had with either a 2.5- or 3-litre Ford Essex V6 engine and gearbox with optional overdrive, but the steering and back axle were still BMC units from the MGB.
The engine was fitted with a twin-choke Weber carburetor on most cars, although a small number were built with Tecalemit Jackson fuel injection.
The final car was the Invader, introduced in July 1969[10] and based on the Genie but with improved chassis and larger brakes.
At the back the live rear axle was located by trailing links and a Panhard rod: adjustable shock absorbers were fitted all round.