Is it a bike?
Is it a trike?
No, it’s superquad!
(see UPDATE)

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When browsing BCA’s Brooklands Auction catalogue it happened! We fell in love with this strange contraption. Basically it’s a 1914 James tricycle, but made into a quadricycle. Fixed to the rear is a one-horsepower engine, known as the Wall Auto-Wheel, an engine and wheel mounted on its own frame. Made from 1912 until the mid-1920s most were fitted alongside a bicycle's rear wheel. They were advertised as “The Cyclist’s Energy Saver” and enabled a cyclist to travel long distances without becoming fatigued. By 1918 the owner used the engine to power a bench grinder in his workshop. When mains electricity came to town, the Auto-Wheel was discarded under a bench. There it remained until the early sixties, along with the James tricycle and several parts. Wouldn’t it be lovely to own what could possibly considered to be the first quad? (photos courtesy BCA). (RB)

Update by Bart Oosterling who informs us of two interesting websites: one about the Motorfly (in French) and the other about the Stinkwheel.

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