MRE

In the 1960's Jim Gleave started MRE, an engineering business dedicated to single seater racing cars.  During this period an up and coming young racing driver, named James Hunt, was selected to race for MRE.  This proved to be very successful and established him as a front runner in Formula 3.  The rest is history ending in Grand Prix World Champion for James in 1976 with Maclaren! 

MRE went on to design and build their own Formula Ford cars in 1972, a fair success was achieved with these cars and in 1973/4 we graduated to F3 and F2.  26 cars were built during this time.  MRE's Formula 3 car and one of the Formula Ford cars are currently racing in classic Formulas in the US.

In 1975 two Formula 1 drivers, Howdon Ganley and Tim Shenken bought MRE and using our designs, went onto build their own Formula Ford car called Tiga, and eventually developed Le Mans GT cars.

Between 1975 and 1978 MRE began moving away from the racing car business and towards Classic Motorcycles, due to the world oil crises.

 ATLANTIC MOTOR CYCLES

1978 Jim Gleave saw an advertisement in a bike magazine for large collection of British bikes for sale in America.  This was a turning point and Jim decided to move completely into the world of classic bikes and away from racing cars.  Atlantic Motorcycles was formed and was one of the first Classic Motorcycle dealers in the world.   

Jim Gleave booked a Laker flight to Boston and after many adventures, managed to purchase all the British bikes in the collection, with the remaining American bikes being purchased by Steve McQueen.  

Over the past 30 years we have sold more than 4,000 classic motorcycles.  During this time we have accumulated a vast experience and expertise in every aspect of the classic bike market.

We sell all varieties of bikes rangeing from veterans to post vintage, road bikes to the fastest racing bikes and BSA Bantoms to Vincent Black Shadows.  We also sell bikes on commission for customers.

We have a worldwide customer base including many musems and private colletors around the world

Opening Hours: Our showroom is open by appointment only, please call on + 44 (0) 7836 377271