Matchless set to return

The family behind the rebirth of the Belstaff fashion label has bought the rights to the Matchless motorcycle brand with plans for a return to limited retro motorcycle production.

Franco Malenotti along with sons Emanuele and Michael transformed the Belstaff brand into a globally successful fashion brand and aims to do the same with the Matchless brand after buying it from a Greek owner who spent £45,000 buying the rights to the name in 2006.

The Malenotti family is now reported to have finalised the sale of the Belstaff brand to Swiss firm Lebenlux and is now moving on to the Matchless brand as the next stage of their business life.

Plans for Matchless apparently centre around low volume production of retro bikes using the old bikes for inspiration along with a clothing brand too.