This could be an interesting exercise, and could even be steered in a couple of different directions.
What do YOU like most? Most collections reflect the interest/bent/desire/lust of the individual collector.
What's most collectable/valuable in the greater context of the defined period? For what reasons? Raleigh Internationals and Peugeot PX10s are pretty collectable apparently. How come? There were a zillion of them and they weren't that great (I've owned the latter but not the former). But, a lot of people lusted after them THEN and collect them NOW. My '73 Raleigh RRA was pretty collectable. Fairly rare. Pretty crude frame. (Don't flame me. You know it's true and I'm just the messenger.)
What does the market define as collectable/desirable? Confente comes to mind. Boy are they collectable. Why? History, rarity, allure, mystique, time and place? I had one for a brief while. Wish I could have ridden it (too big). Nice frame. But THAT nice? I'm not so sure. (Uh oh, talk about flames!)
Kinda reminds me of the DID lists. Desert-Island-Discs. What 10 records (well, it was records in the beginning anyway) would you want with you if you were stranded on a desert island. I liked making DID lists. Of course, then I started to ask myself "in what context"? If I was stranded there until I was rescued, what would I want to listen to while I was waiting? I made a list. But. What if I was stranded FOREVER? (And, of course, with a mate with whom I would start a whole new generation.) What discs would I want in order to influence the next generation in a wide variety of musical styles, so that I could influence generations of new rock 'n' rollers? (Hey, I'm a child of the 50's. What do you expect?). I made a list.
But I digress....
Collectable bicycles. It's obviously pretty subjective, and even what's been posted so far certainly exposes that fact. We are influenced by a myriad of factors. I though I'd try a little different perspective (besides, my want list is too long!). I collect what I like, based on all those hard to define, individual, personal factors. If I had to get rid of all but five (don't know if I can keep it to that - we'll see) of my bikes, what would I keep?
I made a list.
1. R. Brian Baylis Special - 2004 - I don't actually have it yet, but
I'm thiisssss close! The pinnacle of so many factors that make bicycle
frames so beautiful. A singular, focused vision from a true artisan.
Where vision, form and function meet. Hey, it's my opinion. I can
have any opinion I want.
http://community.webshots.com/
2. Stan Pike - 1983 - Undoubtedly one of the finest frames I have ever
owned. From many perspectives. Understated elegance. Under
appreciated. Made by a master craftsman, highly respected by his peers,
meticulous attention to detail, precise execution, died young at
(likely) the beginning of his arc. Sound like anyone else you know?
(Tom Adams has figured it out.)
http://www.wooljersey.com/
3. J. P. Weigle Randonneur - 2002 - The precise flow of each element
into the other for a perfectly balanced and clean look. Refinement in
every detail. Classic and contemporary at the same time.
http://www.bikelugs.com/
4. McLean Kermesse - 1983 - Clean, simple and beautiful. No frills and
no pretense, just plain old understated perfection.
http://www.wooljersey.com/
5. Telavio (Pino Morroni) Track - 1984/5 - An industrial tool with funky details. Made for the Italian national team, it's not fancy, but functional, with the Pino touch of the strange and unusual. A really fun project that ended up looking pretty darn cool. (Pix soon!)
Some really tough decisions (maybe I just have to increase the number, it is MY fantasy after all):
Richard Sachs Team - 2001 - Really cool beautiful, and hard not to
include. One of Richie's ex-team frames. Not exactly what I would
order if it was custom built for me (probably why it didn't make the top
five), but really nice just the same. A contemporary classic. NOW, if
Richie would sell me that gorgeous turquoise/blue and white frame I been
bugging him about, I might have to re-do the list. HINT, HINT. Has
e-richie left the building?
http://www.richardsachs.com/
De Rosa - 1984 - My vision of the pinnacle of Italian racing bikes of the era. For the pure romance of it. I bought it, had in repainted, sold it and bought it back. I really want one 10 years older. Still waiting for that.
Charles Martin - 1973 - Purely for the funk factor. Cool and unusual.
Nobody else has one. Another really fun project, and just the look I
wanted. http://www.wooljersey.com/
Some fun, eh?
Wayne Bingham
Lovettsville VA