Jerry, as a person who does ride his '75 silver lilac Le Champion west of Houston, TX, I can attest that I have heretofore avoided the "dually" trucks. A few close calls, though. As far as this topic goes, I had a '73 Competition in black. Never seen a purple one, but would like to.
Andy Grout
Katy, TX
> Lilac does sound a bit limp-wristed, but I've always liked the Lilac
> Motobecane Le Champions. I was outbid for one on eBay a week ago or so.
> Actually a handsome color - I would have no hesitation riding one even
here
> in macho Houston, TX. I don't think the rednecks in the double axle
pickup
> trucks would go any further out of their way to run me over on that bike
> than on any other bike. I can't say the same for a Mercier in classic
> Mercier pink. That is why my wife is going to have to ride the pink
Mercier
> frame if I ever get it built up.
>
> Regards,
>
> Jerry Moos
> Houston, TX "Pickup truck capital of the known universe"
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "P.C. Kohler" <kohl57@starpower.net>
> To: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
> Sent: Sunday, February 22, 2004 9:23 AM
> Subject: Re: [CR]RE: The "purple"Raleigh Competitions
>
>
> > ---- Original Message -----
> > From: "Carl Gonzalez" <bikecg@att.net>
> > To: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
> > Cc: <bianchipan@yahoo.com>
> > Sent: Sunday, February 22, 2004 8:08 AM
> > Subject: [CR]RE: The "purple"Raleigh Competitions
> >
> >
> > >
> > > Yes. I would use "lilac" as a color descriptor.
> >
> >
> > Raleigh always recycled the same paint under different names through the
> > years. This is none other than the Polychromatic Lilac that was most
> > associated with the Humber Clipper in the late 40s and 50s. It sounds a
> bit
> > limp-wristed a colour for a club bike but it's actually a very handsome
> > livery. You could get your RRA in this of course as well.
> >
> > Raleigh also recycled the steel grey used on the 1958 Lenton Grand Prix
> into
> > the "platinum" of the 1970s. Lenton Green found its way onto Choppers
> during
> > this time as well.
> >
> > Speaking of paint, if any of you out there have a 1950-51 Clubman in
blue
> > and want to match the paint: the current VW beetle "Blue Lagoon" is a
> > dead-on match.
> >
> > Peter Kohler
> > Washington DC USA