1936 'Velostable' Semi-Horizontal Velocar – The Online Bicycle Museum

The first (1932) model of Velocar recumbent ran for only one year. It was so low-slung that it was hard to ride and the riding position was therefore altered in 1933 for subsequent models. The 1932 prototype model was named in the Mochet catalogue as a Velo Velocar (V.V), but for the first year it was actually known only as a Velocar, bearing the same name as Mochet’s four wheeler. The machine was so radically diverse that the cycling press loved it. Unfortunately, the racing fraternity disliked it intensely …because it was too fast! It was banned from events, and debates took place over whether it could even be considered a bicycle.

The Velostable is also often described as a Velocar; the name became generic both for 1930s recumbent bicycles and quadricycles.

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1936 'Cycles Velostable' Recumbent Bicycle 04

1936 Velostable

Position Semi-Horizontal

Optional Handlebar or Steering Wheel

20″ Wheels, 500A Tyres

(Now sold)

1936 'Cycles Velostable' Recumbent Bicycle 05

The Velostable recumbent was the main competitor for the Mochet Velocar; it was a cheaper model, not quite so well-refined, with its bottom bracket in line rather than raised as in the Mochet. This example is an older restoration, complete with its original parts, and is ready to ride. It comes with both steering options – a handlebar as well as a steering wheel. I’ve photographed it fitted both ways – it’s currently set up with steering wheel.

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