Gilbern: The Welsh Sports Car Born in Llantwit Fardre
Most villages are known for a church, a pub or perhaps a famous resident. Llantwit Fardre can claim something far more unusual: it was once home to Wales' very own sports car manufacturer.
Today, visitors driving through the village may have little idea that a former colliery site was once producing sleek, hand-built sports cars that would become sought-after classics across Britain and beyond. Yet for fourteen remarkable years, the name Gilbern carried the reputation of Llantwit Fardre to motoring enthusiasts throughout the world.
A Dream That Started With a Butcher
The story of Gilbern sounds almost too unlikely to be true. In the late 1950s, local butcher Giles Smith wanted a sports car. Through a chance meeting he joined forces with Bernard Friese, a German engineer with expertise in fibreglass construction. Their plan was simple: build a car for themselves.
Working behind the Smith family butcher's shop near Church Village, they created something extraordinary. Legend has it that a pear tree had to be removed just to get the finished car out of the yard. When local racing enthusiasts saw the result, they immediately recognised its potential. What had begun as a hobby quickly became a business.
The name Gilbern was created by combining the founders' names: GILes Smith and BERNard Friese.
From Village to Prestige Motoring
As demand increased, production moved to the former Red Ash Colliery site in Llantwit Fardre. There is something wonderfully Welsh about that transformation. A landscape shaped by coal mining and heavy industry was now helping produce elegant sports cars.
In many ways, Gilbern reflected the changing face of South Wales during the post-war years. While traditional industries were beginning to decline, new ideas, new skills and new ambitions were emerging. From this corner of the Rhondda valleys came cars that could stand proudly alongside much larger British manufacturers.
Wales' Automotive Trailblazer
Gilbern remains unique in Welsh industrial history. At a time when most major car manufacturers were based in England, this small company proved that world-class vehicles could be built in Wales.
The cars combined lightweight fibreglass bodies with powerful engines and attractive styling. Owners loved them for their performance, individuality and exclusivity. Unlike mass-produced vehicles rolling off giant assembly lines, every Gilbern felt special. There was craftsmanship in every car, pride in every badge, and a little bit of Llantwit Fardre in every mile they travelled.
The Cars That Carried the Dragon
The Gilbern GT established the company and quickly built a loyal following. It was followed by the Genie and later the Invader, a model many enthusiasts still regard as one of the finest British grand tourers of its era.
By the time production ended in 1973, hundreds of Gilberns had left the factory and found homes across the UK and overseas. For such a small company operating from a Welsh village, it was an extraordinary achievement.
A Legacy That Refuses to Fade
More than half a century later, Gilbern's story is still being written. Owners carefully restore and maintain surviving examples. Dedicated enthusiasts travel hundreds of miles to attend club events. Classic car shows regularly feature beautifully preserved Gilberns, proudly displaying the Welsh dragon motif that became synonymous with the marque.
Many visitors are surprised to learn that these rare and valuable classics were born in Llantwit Fardre. Yet for local residents, Gilbern represents something much bigger than a car. It is proof that innovation, ambition and engineering excellence have deep roots in our community.
The old factory may be gone, but the legacy remains. Every time a Gilbern engine starts, every time an owner takes one onto the open road, and every time someone discovers the story for the first time, a small piece of Llantwit Fardre's history continues to live on. And that is something our village can be immensely proud of.
The factory building is still here now, right outside my flat window several garages occupy the units including Gwyn Townsends Gilbern Cars he maintains, services and cares for many customers old n modern classic cars for his customers