By coincidence I am sorting out some old "The Bicycle" magazines and in amongst them is a report on the Hetchins stand at this 1949 exhibition. They were on stand 37 and the report is as follows; "Five of Hetchins models each in duplicate were shown on their stand during the show period. The models appeared with the Vibrant rear triangle and also with the orthodox type. All Hetchins frames are lug built to individual requirements, and all those on display were built with 531 tubing throughout. Features of the Hetchins machines were the unique cutaway lugs, Hetchin's own twin forged crown, and the special finishes employed by this lightweight maker. The models on display ranged in price from £30.00 to £41 18s 10d., including Purchase Tax. These prices do not include the cost of variable gears, which can be fitted as available. The machine illustrated is the Massed Start Model No.2 which with gear fitted retails at £36 15s., including Purchase Tax, and was a machine which attracted considerable attention".
Two points are worth mentioning about this press cutting; You could get a R.O.Harrison lightweigh with similar specification for £22.00 or if you went down market a raleigh Lento for only £15.00. A top London skilled night-worker would have earned £12.00 per week then, which would equate to about £800 per week in todays money. The average workers wage would have been around the £4.00 a week figure. Also why did Gillott's, Claud Butler's and Fred Grubb boycott this show and hold their own shows at their various individual shops? My apologies about the mistake on the previous posting about the recessed seat tube.
Thats all for now. Keep those wheels spinning, in your memories if not still on the road. Be lucky Mick Butler Huntingdon UK.