Quaife Engineering

Since 1965 Quaife Engineering has pioneered the development of high performance automotive transmission systems for fast road and motorsport use, on two and four wheels. From humble beginnings Quaife Engineering now enjoys a multi-million pound turnover, boasts over 60 employees and operates from two sites in the South-East of England. This makes Quaife ideally placed for overseas customers, with over 70% of the company’s products destined for the export market.

In addition to this aftermarket success Quaife also acts as an OEM supplier to the world’s largest car manufacturers, including Chrysler, Ford, General Motors and Toyota, and counts Caterham Cars, Lotus Cars and the Morgan Motor Company as valued customers.

These clients, both small and large, are attracted by Quaife Engineering’s track record of automotive engineering excellence. So why not contact us to discover the results that Quaife can deliver for your business or motorsport project?

THE HISTORY

The late Rodney Quaife founded RT Quaife Engineering forty three years ago. A gifted engineer and passionate motorcyclist Rod Quaife’s business acumen, mechanical skills and ambition enabled him to exploit a commercial opportunity presented by the then thriving British bike industry, which then relied on four speed transmissions. Ever the innovator, Rod Quaife designed a vastly superior replacement five speed gear cluster which was ideal for road and racing use, initially for Norton applications only.

Success swiftly followed, as did custom from BSA, Triumph and many others, which meant Quaife’s range expanded to cater for new applications, while the company grew rapidly. But as the 1960’s became the 1970’s and the British motorcycle industry shrank Rod Quaife cast around for new growth opportunities in the specialist transmission business, which came in form of the now ubiquitous Mk1 Ford Escort.

Popular from the outset, the factory competition Escorts ran expensive and rare ZF five speed gearboxes, which replaced the standard four speed ‘Rocket’ transmission. Rod Quaife soon realised there was sufficient space within the standard Ford gearbox casing for a carefully designed close-ratio five speed gear cluster that would both withstand the abuse of motorsport and be within the budget of the clubman competitor. Quaife’s gearkit was an instant success and today Quaife Engineering – under the direction of Rod’s children Michael and Sharon – continues to grow rapidly and now produces a vast range of car and motorcycle gearkits and gearboxes, plus automatic torque biasing helical gear limited slip differentials. In today’s digital age much has changed since 1965, but the passion for innovation and engineering excellence remains, as the thousands of satisfied Quaife customers around the world will happily testify.