Aldo Ross asked,
Anyone familiar with a (probably French) brand of bikes called "Astra" = during the 1930s? ++++++++++++++
I can't speak to the 1930s, but did see low-end Astras in Houston about 1966, being sold by an auto dealer on S. Main St near downtown. But not for long. My first parts bike was another low-end non-lugged Astra, rattlecan painted blue w/o benefit of disassembly, about 1968 in Providence, RI. I still see the occasional blue-painted bolt in the parts boxes. I can't remember why, but I convinced myself that Astra became a Motobecane model or series sometime back then, but I could be wrong.
harvey sachs
mcLean va