In a message dated 9/27/2002 7:29:27 AM Eastern Daylight Time, stevens@veloworks.com writes:
<< I know that Dale was in the Bay Area recently ... he had planned on making a stop at ABO just to check things out (and to meet me, but alas, I had moved 6 months previously) ... I'm not sure if he actually made it across the bridge, but if so, he should be able to provide some insight as to his opinion of this particular frame.
The two frames we sold, and the one we still had on display were always represented as Hetchins replicas ... not as original frames. >>
I did see that frame...
It was enclosed in a glass case to the right as you walk in the shop. I thought it looked very well made.
Not exactly possessing the Hetchins complete "look" though... It DID have Magnum Bonam theme with old 1960s style lugs (stamped, not old cast, so by Len Phipps?) , bb and "question mark" fork tangs. But the frame had no lug lining and did have a head tube extension. The paint was a little sloppy in it's masking and was thickly applied. The curves in the vibrant stays were "soft" compared to other "real" Hetchins I have. The decal was crudely cropped on the head tube (note there is no badge.)
I never got in a discussion with the shop staff about it.. They were very busy, mostly with stuff behind the counter (!) and never offered any info one way or the other. IF I had gotten their attention they might have told me it was a replica, but I honestly must say that there was no sign to that effect, yet the frame bore Hetchins decals.
I identified myself as a bike shop owner as well as the Classic Rendezvous web master but they apparently didn't know about "us."
There is a separate and well stocked display for Ron Cooper frames themselves across the room on the left of the entrance. There was a fancy lugged frame in that case as well but not in a Hetchins pattern.....
Pictures of this frame are here:
http://www.cyclesdeoro.com/
Dale Brown
Greensboro, North Carolina