Gilberns event returns to castle

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Owners of the only production car to be made in Wales are polishing their machines for a grand day out.

Up to 70 members of the Gilbern Owners Club are holding their national weekend at Cardiff Castle.

Just over 1,000 Gilberns were made in south Wales during the 1960s and up to half of them still roadworthy.

The first cars, based around Austin A35 parts and with steel wheels, were made by master butcher Giles Smith and Bernard Friese, a former German PoW.

The first car was built in 1959 in an old slaughterhouse behind Mr Smith's butchers shop in Church Village, near Pontypridd.

Prince Charles is said to be a fan of the cars, and Sir Anthony Hopkins bought one while living in London.

Sunday's event is the first time the owners club, which has 400 members worldwide, has met in Wales for four years.

Owners club local area organiser, Gareth Morgan, said: "They're as rare as hen's teeth.

'Fuel'

"This will be a memorable occasion as the castle was the first location that Gilberns were used in the promotional material and sales brochures, etc.

Mr Morgan, who has been an owner for 12 years, described the cars as "unique piece of motoring history".

He said: "I remember them when they were still on the road in the late 70s. I've always hankered for one."

His machine is a later model with a three-litre V6 engine.

He said: "With the price of fuel at the moment, you have to choose your journey and trip to suit your purse."

On Saturday, 10 owners cars from as far as Bristol and London took part in a 60-mile tour of attractions in the Vale of Glamorgan and the south Wales valleys.