Does anyone know who the winning bidder was for the Favori frame on eBay? The auction finished last night and he goes by "cjonesuk".
Favori frames were made by Ellis Briggs in Shipley, West Yorkshire UK. They were no different than their Ellis Briggs frames. It was a name chosen to sound Italian. What I remember is that they took the name Favorit and dropped the "t" to have a vowel ending. If I also remember right, when I was there learning to build frames in 1975, more customers requested the Favori decals (transfers) than Ellis Briggs ones. The customer choose which one they wanted on their frame.
I was also trying to remember if I worked on this frame when I was there but couldn't remember exactly. I know that the bottom bracket cut out would have come from an idea Andrew (the apprentice of one year when I was there and pretty accomplished by then) would have done. I see my influence on the lug cut outs. I wrote before about the punch press they had that made the design for the 'International" frames in the 50's. One of the punches was that shape and was used on an Ellis Briggs frame I ordered a year before I worked there. This request for lug cut outs was inspired by my Masi. I can remember encouraging Andrew and Jack Briggs to do this so the appearance of their frames would be modern and have a bit of distinction.
Bill and Rodney would have painted the frame in the paint room next door to the frame room on the 2nd floor. Their window overlooked the Leeds Liverpool canal.
Having worked there, I can say that Ellis Briggs frames were really well made and probably better than most any other English frame. Andrew took his time with each task and he had a really well made fixture/alignment table to work with. It was one of the reasons I wanted to work there.
This frame in fairly nice original condition went for $170 some. This is an illustration that value and quality are not related. I was going to bid on it but was distracted with the responsibilities of my framebuilding class - which starts again in 30 minutes so I better go. They are making transportation frames.
Doug Fattic Niles, Michigan (but also spent a very pleasant time in Shipley, UK in 1975)