From: "Mark Stevens" <mountgerald@btopenworld.com> "Hi All, does anyone on the list collect toys related to cycling? I have been trying to find info on a collection of plastic racing cyclists that I guess are from the 50's. There is a chap in yellow , several in striped tops of varying colours, a chap on a Derny, 3 (Willys type) jeeps carrying wheels, loudspeaker and camera and 6 BMW motorbikes. 3 are police escorts, 1 has a rider with a team manager or coach with a megaphone on the pillion, 1 has a cameraman on pillion and one has a man with a chalkboard as pillion. They are crudely made and painted but exude loads of period charm or dare I say , mojo! There is no makers name visible on anything. If anyone has anything similar or any leads as to date and origin I would like to hear from you. All the best. Mark in Dingwall,Scotland"
Hi Mark, Some time ago (over 12 years?), I saw some similar figures in Micheal's Cyclery, in Ames, Iowa here in the US. This shop was run by a fellow who also organized a race team (the other CR members can provide more details on Mike Fatka and the Skunk River Cyclists). Mike had the figures in a display case, and I thought they were the coolest thing next to Super Record parts! Never did learn anything about them, tho. :-( A couple of years ago, Mike shut down the store. Maybe someone else knows what became of the figures? Speaking of cycling toys/figurines, a year or two ago, there were some on the market, with the brand name "Norev". Made in France. Are those still available somewhere? They sold some modern figures, but also sold some nice "classic" ones, clad in Molteni and Peugeot jerseys (they have down tube shift levers too, and even a pump on the down tube).
Steve Kurt Peoria, IL (just finishing touching up the paint on the recently aquired 753 Raleigh Team frame)