[CR]Bogus Hetchins or Super special?

(Example: Component Manufacturers:Chater-Lea)

From: Mark Stevens <mark@lentran.com>
To: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
References: <MONKEYFOODFAPyapEeZ00002f6b@monkeyfood.nt.phred.org>
Date: Mon, 22 Jan 2007 10:02:52 -0000
reply-type=original
Subject: [CR]Bogus Hetchins or Super special?

Hi All, while no Hetchins expert (no pun intended) the lugs and fork crown on this bike are very like the ''Super Special'' of the late 30's / 40's. I do agree that the chainstay socket is poorly done. It may well be an old frame that has had Columbus dropouts and other brazeons added. I think that the seat stay tops would be the giveaway. The angles look laid back too. Check out the bike in the Japanese magazine from 2003. Very close. In fact the pierced axe head on the downtube and the plain point on the top tube are identical. The Japanese commentator raves about these lugs - ''the lug work are very powerful. Quite often too ornate Hetchin's late lugs give something weaker or too fine. But this frame looks very well balanced in design'' end quote.
    I think the seller has got it wrong. I guess he has been told it's a 'fake' by someone that is used to seeing more elaborate Hetchins lugs and has been very honest in his description. The original numbered dropouts and the tab type mudguard eyes probably went in the bin so to put it back to 'original' would be impossible. But it would be fun to build and ride as a ''Hotrod''!
     Mark Stevens. Evanton. Scotland Snow on the hills, frosty and dry.