I would like to retract what I said about "This is is not a Massed Start Bike". When I originally wrote that message, I began to list the issues that I thought could prove it was not a "Massed Start Bike", but near the end realized i could only criticize the paint - not the lugs or the dropouts (although the fork is very unusual for a carlton of this period - from http://www.carltoncycles.me.uk.) Unfortunately, I failed to revise the opening sentence of my post to reflect this conclusion.
What I should have said was, "This is not a 1950's Massed Start bike in 1950's paint." It seemed to me that it could be a 1950's bike in 1960's paint, and I tried to say that. But I stand by my assertion that there is a very special seat-tube decal (I have many photos of them, from several 1950 carlton models.) that would say 'massed statrt' on the original paint job.
And yes, I have a very clear reproduction of my 1950 carlton flyer catalogue page, and a 1950's era original catalogue which includes "The Massed Start" bike (and frame) in it (but not the Massed Start Special.)
AND THE MASSED START ILLUSTRATION CLEARLY SHOWS THE LARGE FANCY GEOMETRIC CARLTON DECAL (THE TYPE WITH THE MODEL NAME) IN IT WHICH IS LACKING ON THIS BIKE.
So the paint aint 1950's.
- Don Gillies
San Diego, CA, USA