[CR] Garin Barra 1940 all-aluminum mixte

(Example: Framebuilders:Bernard Carré)

From: <Stronglight49@aol.com>
Date: Thu, 12 Nov 2009 06:11:52 -0500
To: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Subject: [CR] Garin Barra 1940 all-aluminum mixte


Fans of early French lugless aluminum framesets, may want to linger over some 30 fascinating photos in this current eBay auction: item # 370288370804... or you may be able to pick up a nice bargain too! One fork tip is broken and would need repair, but otherwise this bike looks very appealing.

A mixte style frameset with internal wiring from a rear dynamo, it includes a nice early Stronglight crankset and headset and custom fabricated cantilever brakes, AVA made Charles Pelissier drop bars and what appears to be a threadless-style stem. For me the real interest is all of the minor braze-ons which appear to be made of aluminum, and of course all of the nicely contoured welds which here look as smooth as a fillet brazed steel frame.

Nice twin plate fork crown with an eyelet at the rear (which I assume would be for mounting a mudguard) and even a classic looking rear luggage rack with mudguard mounting screws.

Well worth a look.

Enjoy!

BOB HANSON, ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO, USA