This ebay auction for this 1950s bike in very original condition has just finished.
It was on French Ebay and the seller, based near Bordeaux, would not despatch the bike; it had to be collected.
The 55cms frame was reinforced with lateral tubes running diagonally across the frame, rather in tandem fashion. Equipment was interesting with Maxi-Car hubs, what loked like a variation on a TA triple chainset..the rear gear was made by L.Dujardin ( did he make the NIVEX or just copy it)..couldn't make out the front mech, but the brakes ...freins integres..were made by Eppelding.
The whole bike fetched 1013 euros, about £895. I thought about bidding but as Blanquefort, nr Bordeaux where the seller lives is over 300 miles from my house in Sancerre, France, which in turn is about 600 miles from where I am now typing this email..and there's a thing called the Channel in the way, I decided I would give it a miss. Pity really as I've just realised that one of the budget airlines is doing very cheap flights to Bordeaux at the moment.
I had thought of contacting one of the CR List's top France-based collectors who only lives a couple of hours away from the Pitard. However more than likely he has been one of the active bidders because I don't think that he has a Pitard among his many Herses. Are you reading this, Alex?
When I saw that the seller is based at Blanquefort my hopes were raised as there is a town of that name very close to Sancerre..just 30 minutes drive away.
\pity really as the bike really was an attractive machine..and you dont see many Pitards up for sale.
Norris Lockley, Settle, UK
( where it hasn't stopped raining for a whole week)