50 years of Quasar Motorcycles
The Quasar is a highly unusual semi-enclosed feet forward motorcycle, created by Malcolm Newell and Ken Leaman. The vehicle incorporates an 850cc engine used in the Reliant Robin three-wheeled car, and can drive at speeds over 100 mph in favourable conditions.
The first Quasar was built by Malcolm and Ken at Wilson Brothers on Morley Road in Staple Hill, and was sold in December 1976. Despite interest in the unusual design, only 21 Reliant engined Quasars were ever produced: seven by Wilson Brothers, and a further fourteen by Romarsh of Calne and by Malcolm Newell and John Malfoy, who had originally designed the Quasar’s unique fluorescent rear light.
Malcolm Newell went on to build several more Quasars in his own workshop at Field Cottage, in Heddington. These later Quasars were fitted with motorcycle engines. Malcolm and three Quasars were featured in an edition of the popular BBC TV programme “Top Gear” that was broadcast on 14 April 1988.
The photographs include one from 1977 showing Gordon Wilson at the Wilson Brothers workshop in Staple Hill, the photograph (below) was taken in 2017 when Gavin Newell, John Cooper and two Quasars visited Kingswood Heritage Museum. The Museum plans a special weekend dedicated to the Quasar Motorcycle later this year, including a special appearance by one of the original machines.
