AS you wander the exhibition spaces of the Lakeland Motor Museum you can be forgiven for thinking that some historic exhibits were, perhaps, just ahead of their time.

And it’s not just exhibits of the four-wheeled variety.

Take for example the futuristically named Bowden Spacelander bicycle which is one of the many historic two-wheeled items on display at the museum.

It may date back to 1960 but everything about it suggests it would not be out of place on today’s roads.

British born Benjamin Bowden originally designed the Spacelander way back in 1946 as part of the “Britain Can Make It” Exhibition. It was quite a hit there – largely thanks to the way it looked.

The design was positively space aged.

The prototype had a dynamo that stored energy going downhill and released it going uphill.

It was the first bicycle to have a frame made from fiberglass and also featured built-in front and rear lights and an electric push-button horn.

The prototypes for that exhibition were actually made by the MG car company. But there was an obvious problem.

The Spacelander was extremely expensive to make and would not be produced in volume until 1960 – and that was in Muskegon, Michigan, USA.

It sold for $89.50 making it one of the most expensive bicycles in America.

The Bowden Company went bust in 1961 with only 522 Spacelanders ever made.

So, the Lakeland Motor Museum’s version is rather rare.

It’s in Charcoal Black.

Other colour choices did exist and they were much brighter with names like Cliffs of Dover White, Outer Space Blue, Meadow Green and Stop Sign Red.

It looked futuristic – and perhaps it was too futuristic for that time.

You have to wonder that if it were produced today this vehicle from our past could have a rather bright future.