Rider's eye view shows how well tucked in the mirrors are. The black bobble in the middle is a GPS mounting. PNB

In the scenic setting of Beaulieu House in 2000, Mark Crowson's white Quasar met Benelli's then-new Adiva, BMW's then-new C1 and Phil Meaton's one-off Gilera Runner-based Bubble. Compare and contrast. I tested and wrote up the three roofed scoots for the inaugural issue of Twist & Go. Now a collector's item! PNB Photo: Paul Blezard archive

People are always comparing the Quasar with BMW's C1, but when you see the two machines together, you can appreciate just how different they are; the Quasar is much longer, lower, sleeker, heavier and faster. Photo: Blez archive (2007)

The late Nick Roche (left) owned both a Quasar and a Bond Bug. Taken by Blez at the 2003 Quasar Rally.

Compare and contrast these Reliant-powered machines. Whereas the 1970 Bond Bug only has the 700cc engine, the Quasar got the later 850cc version with a rip-snorting 40bhp! Photo: Paul Blezard

Alan Eaves made his GS Quasar much wider at the back as well as at the front. The optional panniers on the standard machine provide a hell of a lot of extra carrying capacity without making the bike any wider. Photo: Paul Blezard, Hastings 2005

This pic shows just how much wider Alan Eaves made his red GS-powered Quasar compared to a standard one. Note also the standard Earles forks compared to the Tait hub centre steering Hastings 2005. Photo: Paul Blezard

Blez has a quick spin in the GS1000-powered Quasar at Hastings, 2005. There's far more headroom than in a standard Quasar, but the riding position felt very strange.

Alan Eaves with the Suzuki GS1000-powered, Tait HCS-steered Quasar which he extensively modified over several years of ownership. This pic was taken at the 2005 Quasar rally in Hastings, shortly before Alan sold the bike. Photo: Paul Blezard

Malcolm Newell's concept of the ultimate Sports Quasar, powered by a Ford Cosworth 2 litre F2 engine As seen in MCN in 1984

In 2007 there were only 5 Quasars, but Monty brought his new Carver down from York and Steve brought his Eco over from Belgium, along with Koen and his XMax. A shame that Graham Robb and his Voyager couldn't stay long enough for this pic, but he was there earlier on. At least Shawn's yellow Quasar made it all the way this year. Terry brought his Benelli Adiva and Robin his Tmax. PNB Photo: John Crowson on Blez's EOS.

For the September 07 Quasar gathering Steve van den Berghe brought his Ecomobile over from Belgium and Graham Robb brought his revitalised blue Voyager. Photo: Paul Blez

Koen from Belgium writes: "Well, without a helmet I did fit in. Really felt good! Was my first time in a Quasar. Relaxed seat (back could still be a bit better) but really A LOT better than my XMax 250 scooter". Fellow Belgian Steve's early 90s Ecomobile is in the background. 2007 Quasar rally.

The Quasar caused a few people to do a double take at the 2007 Goodwood Revival. Photo: Paul Blezard

Proof that a standard Quasar can crack the ton! Photo: PNB

Janie Omorogbe, formerly the Gladiator known as 'Rio' and now a successful bike journalist and TV presenter, tries my Quasar for size at Donington Park after the Kill Spills rally in May 2007. This photo appeared, along with an account of my trip up from London with 200 other bikers, in the August edition of the BMF's magazine 'Motorcycle Rider'. PNB

Thirty years after the BMF Rally first came to Peterborough Miss Federation 1976 and 1978 returned to the Show and posed with Blez's 1980 Quasar. The first Quasar was sold in December 1976. Photo: Paul Blezard

Anita (behind) and Vivienne (in front) were the Miss Federations of the BMF Show in 1978 and 1976 respectively. They were reunited at the 2007 event and I persuaded them to squeeze themselves into my Quasar. PNB

This pic was taken in 2002 before the NMM burnt down and this immaculate Quasar was reduced to ashes and molten metal! This is the only original Quasar ever to have been totally destroyed, and it wasn't even moving at the time! This machine was also featured at the start of the Top Gear BBV TV programme broadcast April 14th 1988, with presenter William Woollard sitting in it outside the museum PNB (Pic kindly supplied by Graham Day)