Carlton originally introduced these lugs in late 1959 or 1960 ( see CR
archives I think I posted the original press release from Cycling).
These
lugs were intended for use on their top of the range machines sadly
Carlton were taken over by TI (Tube Investments) and absorbed into the
Raleigh umbrella before these appeared in any great number, although
Carlton retained their name many of us thought at the time that they
were deliberately taken down market by Raleigh.
After the take over there were a lot of cheap Carltons produced with
these Capella lugs but to confusion matters there were also top quality
frames produced with Capells's, this applies to both Raleigh and
Carltons.
Recently I was given a plain gauge Carlton with Capella lugs although
this was an inexpensive frame the finish was superb fully chromed with
a red lacquer aplied over the chrome, the lugs had been left in chrome
it looked wonderful in its original finish.
Unfortunately this frame was about two sizes to large for me so when a
VCC member who lives in the same village as me showed an interest in it,
I gladly passed it to him for free. Now the horror story, some weeks
later
I was riding pass this persons open garage door when I saw him
struggling
with a very tight allen bolt and to my disgust immediately recognized
the bar he was using on the bolt to gain some leverage which was red
lacquered chrome and complete with a Capella lug the word sacrilege
comes to mind.
There are some ungrateful "TOP HATS" about. That's rhyming slang I
will
leave you to work that one out
--
Michael Francis Butler
michaelbutler@fastmail.fm