Last of the breed
‘Some cheapa – none beata Cheetah!’ was the headline which greeted readers of TMX when southern centre dealer and competition ace Bob Gollner announced the launch of his new, top of the range trials bike in February 1967.
In kit form – to overcome the buyer not having to pay the government purchase tax – the complete machine was available for £249, or, if the rider wanted to use his own Villiers or Tiger Cub engine, a complete chassis kit of frame, forks, seat and tank could be purchased for £85. With its brazed, all-welded and nickel-plated frame, there was no doubt that the Cheetah was one of the most beautiful mud-pluggers ever made, but, sadly, it was launched at a time when supplies of Villiers engines was drying up. Consequently, production of the Gollner bike would only last for two seasons.
How many were produced is now unknown – figures range from 20 to 60 – but over 50 years on, they are now in the ‘hen’s teeth’ category, so it was a great pleasure when I was invited to North Somerset to sample the example brought back to life by keen off-roader Dave Burdge.
