Mick; You've got a good memory. I'm sure by now you've recieved my prior email which gives a bit of the frames history that I got from Len Ingram.
Phil: As for the equipment, the wheels do not quite seem right, and would normally have been low flange for racing, with tubulars and the rims look to be clincher, although it's hard to tell by the photos. But the frame was sold as frame only with no kit mounted.
Peter
Phil Sieg <triodelover@comcast.net> wrote: Peter,
Thanks. Understand about the desirability, but a factor for us short guys is always fit, which means you don't always get the fancy stuff. When you ride a 51cm frame, even some models that have the fancier head tube lugs don't in the smaller sizes, simple because there's no room. (Compare that lovely 49 cm Torpado that just sold on eBay with Mark Agree's larger version of the same frame at Wool Jersey.)
I also had the thought that the wheels might not be original. That front brake caliper looks like a GB side-pull and the cranks, et al are British. Maillard hubs and Mavic rims? I would have thought that a show bike would have had British hubs - Racelites or Airlites, maybe, Hardens, or even Chater Leas - but not Maillard.
Phil
Peter Naiman wrote: Phil; According to the Hetchin's site the Track Supreme was built between 1962-64, so the auction statement of this being in show in 1966 doesn't quite add up, not saying I doubt the word of the seller, but more likely the exact history may not be correct. It was probably at show in the 1961-64 era. Your research on the production year in correct for 1963. The first digit would be the year of production.
I've written the owner to find out if the componants are original to the frame. As for desirability, most Vintage collectors are looking for the much more elaborately lugged Hetchins, usually Latin Lug series bikes. Experto Credes show up often, Magnum Bonums occasionally, and a Magnum Opus Phase II is getting almost as rare as hen's teeth. Pricing will probably not go very high, but factor in that if it was in fact a show bike, that could raise value considerably. Part of my questioning to the seller is verification of his statement as to it being a show bike, which is most likely just passed down word of mouth.
Best regards, Peter Naiman Glendale, WI
Phil Sieg <triodelover@comcast.net> wrote: Thoughts on this offering ? Item#6603650687.
If the serial number is correct and I'm interpreting it correctly, this frame was built in '63. Any of the British contingent know the seller?
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Phil Sieg
Knoxville, Tennessee