Interceptor

This was the last year that the Constellation was produced before it was phased out and the legendary INTERCEPTOR was put into production.

The Connie was one of RE's best motorcycle but sadly had a very weak gearbox that could not handle the power that was being produced.

The 700cc Constellation launched in the USA in 1957, first appeared in Britain in 1958, along with a new, much lighter 500, the Meteor Minor. With new engine castings, the 'Connie' was sportier with a very robust bottom end, hot cams and, initially a single racing Amal TT carburettor.

With a suitably tuned cylinder head, the resulting bike was a real road-burner capable of well over 110mph. On test, it bettered I 15mph. The racing carb disappeared in favour of twin Monoblocs in 1959, but the bike was still fast -although it soon gained a reputation for fragility, while the front brake was inadequate for the power and speed. In fact, there were a number of niggles, which meant that the model never achieved the popularity of the Triumph twins, despite its theoretical advantages and better acceleration.