Greeves entry into the world of road-racing was prompted by the efforts and success of Reg Everett who, during the 1962 season had campaigned a machine built from a combination of Greeves roadster and motocross components. Mr Everett's success led to the factory developing their own racing model, which debuted at the 1962 Earls Court Show. The new machine utilised a Villiers derived engine and was offered with a price of £285.
Successes came quickly for the new model in the hands of riders such as Everett, Joe Dunphy and Dave Simmonds which aided the machine commercially, 94 of the RCA models having been sold when production ended in May 1964 to allow the introduction of the RCB with an engine of Greeves own design and an Albion five speed gearbox. This was followed in 1965 by the RCS which adopted a new fairing, duplex primary drive chain, revisions to the porting and expansion chamber which improved the engines flexibility and a new 7 inch twin leading shoe front brake from the British Hub Company that represented a vast improvement over the earlier models six inch item.
The 1966 RDS version employed a much improved five speed gearbox and a new clutch whilst revisions to the engine and expansion chamber resulted in an increase in performance.
The RDS was followed in 1967 by the RES version, which was essentially the same as its predecessor except for some cosmetic changes. The RES marked the zenith of the Silverstone's development and would continue in unaltered form into 1968 with production of the model ending that year.
Courtesy H&H Classic Auctions
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