1969 Arter Matchless G50 “Wagonwheels” Ex- Peter Williams
Designed by the legendary duo Peter Williams and Tom Arter in 1969 with a chassis fabricated by Formula 1 specialists Metalcraft. Wagons Wheels ins considered the ultimate evolution of the, now long in the tooth, air-cooled single cylinder grand prix racer. Featuring many technolgical firsts which would soon become commonplace on racing motorcycles. The result is a lightweight, compact machine with a reduced frontal area, cast magnesium wheels, disk brakes and ducted air cooling. With this the aged design of the Matchless g50 powerplant was transformed to such a degree that Williams won the 1970 British 500cc Championship at the final round at Snetterton, as well as finishing second one more time to Agostini in the Senior TT, and fifth in the Ulster GP.
Team Obsolete has always had a close tie with the AMC singles and with that the full range of Arter bikes hold a prominent place in the collection. Wagon wheels being the final evolution of the lineage we are proud to keep the machine race ready to stoke the fire of enthusiasm at choice events around the world. The pinnacle of this mission was perhaps realized in 2016 when we reunited machine and designer/ pilot at the Isle of Man Classic TT.
Though the motorsport world suffered a great loss in 2020 with Peter's passing his spirit lives on through his genius engineering work, a handful of Grand Prix bikes he designed/ piloted and finally in the Team Obsolete sponsored 'Peter Willaims Trophy' which is awarded each year at the Classic TT to the top-finishing AMC single cylinder racer. Godspeed Peter, your legacy lives on.
The ultimate evolution of the AMC single.
Warming up before the “Six Bike Test”
Alan Cathcartt having a go.
Peter Williams with Wagon Wheels
Peter Williams in action 1970?
Williams putting WW through the twisty bits.
Rob and Roper with Wagon Wheels at the Jurby Festival.
