At the risk of being severely punished , I timidly offer you this for consideration .
The Schwinn Corvette Bicycle , the fastest , best handling , fastest stopping , and one of the lightest , of any of the stylish "cantilever" framed Schwinns ( the ones with all the "swoopy" curves in the frame ) .
Now , before you reach for the kindling , to burn me at the stake . . .
Even if you DON'T like the bicycles , you HAVE to at least glance at the "Birthday Bicycle" . That bicycle has a story to tell !
And , I do solemnly promise to NEVER mention the Schwinn Corvettes again , except off-list .
**Reasons this is "on-topic" for the C. R. List :
* Made from approximately 1954 ( 1955 ? ) , through 1965 .
* Narrow tires ( for Schwinn ) 26 x 1 3/4 inch .
* Weinmann aluminum caliper brakes ( stamped Schwinn Approved , in lovely script writing ) .
* Sturmey Archer AW 3-Speed rear hub .
* Came from the factory with nice routing for all of those cables , most especially those fine old steel Sturmey Archer cable pulley wheels !
( if you were to substitute an aluminum stem and handlebar , and aluminum rims with modern tires , and if you used the lightest of the fenders used on those Schwinn Corvettes , the bicycle would really be fairly sprightly ! )
**Reasons this is "off-topic" for the C. R. List :
* Schwinn "Cantilever" frame was made by the "electro-forged" process ; butt-welding of seamed-tubing .
* With the steel fenders , and the steel chainguard , and the steel kickstand , and the steel front rack . . . they do weigh a bit .
HOWEVER , they are getting close to 50 years old , and have huge amounts of "style" , and can be just fun to look at !!!
So , here ya go .
Raoul Delmare Marysville Kansas U.S.A.
You must take a close look at the speedometer !!
Cruise speed - versus - Danger speed !! !!
To paraphrase the seller , "Bought new for my birthday in 1956" !! !!
Nice photos ( a bit dark ) , of a very shiny example !