Pembleton Motor Company was established in 1999 by designer Phil Gregory, who hailed from the quaint village of Bayton in Worcestershire. With a background deeply rooted in mechanical engineering, Phil's early years were spent immersed in all things mechanical, including vintage cars and motorbikes. His expertise culminated in the design and construction of a series of championship-winning custom hillclimb motorbikes, setting numerous course records across the UK.
The inception of the first Pembleton occurred during the planning of a birthday cycling trip to Ireland, where Phil's wife suggested taking advantage of the ferry's policy allowing free passage for motorbikes and trikes. With just a few months before their trip, Phil embarked on building his own three-wheeler. In a mere six weeks, using a lightweight space-frame chassis of his own design and modified mechanical components from a Citroen 2CV, the earliest prototype of the Pembleton emerged from his workshop.
The name "Pembleton" was inspired by the caravan named "Pemberton," from which the sheet aluminium was sourced for the vintage body of the prototype.
Upon returning from their trip, Phil's creation garnered local interest, leading to unexpected demand and inadvertently sparking the potential for a business venture. Initially marketed as the Pembleton Grasshopper and later the Pembleton Supersport, these three-wheelers became a surprising success story. Phil's ability to cater to bespoke chassis requests, coupled with his one-man-band operation, led to the development of the four-wheeled Pembleton Brooklands.
Phil's vision was to empower individuals to build their own vintage three-wheelers, providing them with the necessary tools and guidance. This approach resulted in a diverse range of cars, each reflecting the unique vision and craftsmanship of its builder, yet all unmistakably Pembleton.
After nearly 16 years and the production of nearly 500 cars, Phil's son Guy took the helm and began developing his own vision for Pembleton. Wanting to utilise all-new components and reduce weight, Guy's approach led to the creation of the Pembleton V-Sport. His decision to forego university and take on the family business marked a new chapter for Pembleton Motor Company, transitioning from self-built cars to fully registered turn-key vehicles.
The V-Sport underwent several iterations, culminating in its current form, a modern interpretation paying homage to its self-built past. Every component of the V-Sport was meticulously designed and handbuilt, resulting in a lighter and more refined version of its predecessor. This marked the end of the self-build era in 2018 and paved the way for Pembleton Motor Company's evolution as manufacturers of newly registered, built-to-order sports cars.
Amidst a global pandemic, Guy and his team introduced the Pembleton T24 in September 2020, a visually striking four-wheeled counterpart to the spirited three-wheeler.
With nearly five-hundred Pembletons now on the road in over 20 countries, each exemplifies the company's unique approach to automotive design and craftsmanship.
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