I bought a 56/57 cm Motobecane Team Champion (Luis Ocana's type of bike) new in 1975 for $625. Made the mistake of selling a few years later (well, actually, I needed the money to pay for college). I'd easily pay double that now, probably up to?triple that if it was in great shape.
Paul Andrews Ft Lauderdale, FL, USA
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George,
Realizing full well that the following information does not necessarily address the narrow specifics of your query as to the original sales price of a 1976 Motobecane Grand Record, I nevertheless thought it perhaps worthwhile to pass along the following information for your benefit as well as that of the other Motobecane aficionados who monitor the CR List (...either at this time, or at some undetermined point in the future courtesy of the archives).
Personally, I find some of this background information to be quite illuminating (...if not always 100 percent accurate) with respect to perspectives and practices prevalent here in the United States during the decade of the 1970's ... and I am inclined to believe that some of these perspectives too easily dim given the passage of time (...despite the fact that many of us were quite involved in cycling back then).
As quoted from The Complete Buyer's Guide To Bicycles - 11th Edition - Published 1973
1973 Motobecane Nomade - $94
Motobecane, the largest French bicycle manufacturer, is a name comparable with Gitane, Peugeot, and Mercier.? It is a relatively new name in the United States, since they only recently began importing their bicycles.
The 'Nomade' is equipped with Weinmann side pulls, Huret Allvit derailleur with stem shifters, and large flange steel hubs.? Not a bad component array except for the side pull brakes.? These are lighter but they are not as reliable, and this is where they shaved their price down.? On the plus side, the bicycle weighs only 29 pounds, a rarity in this price category. However, it should be mentioned that the manufacturer's suggested $94 retail price is not very well grounded in reality.? This bicycle wholesales at $80.50, which should mean it will be selling for about $125.
1973 Motobecane Nobly - $98.95 ($120)
Motobecanes have been sold in Massachusetts, and just recently the French manufacturer has started distributing them nationwide.? Their suggested price list, in all cases and on all models, is a very low list; it appears to be an old list also - about a year and a half out of date - which explains for the out-of-line price structure.
The 'Nobly' is equipped with Weinmann brakes, large flange steel hubs, Huret Allvit derailleur with stem shifts and touring handlebars.? Accessories include the usual touring fenders, rear carrier, and a kickstand.? Even with all this paraphernalia, it should not weigh quite 34 pounds.? This bicycle is of a slightly higher quality than a Raleigh 'Record', which retailed for $99 minimum, and probably higher in most cases.? We think you will probably find the 'Nobly' retailing for approximately $120.? If this Motobecane is within $10 of the 'Record' - then its an equivalent buy.? If it is more than $10 over the 'Record' in your neighborhood, then it is not a great buy - not even a good buy.
1973 Motobecane Mirage - $107 ($125 - $130)
The Motobecane 'Mirage' is constructed of fully lugged steel tubing and outfitted with a choice of Weinmann or Dia-Compe center pull brakes, large flange Normandy hubs and the Huret Allvit derailleur with stem shifters - all decent components.? The buyer should, however, be aware that the Huret derailleur, although of sturdier construction than the comparable Simplex, is not as smooth shifting.? The Sun Tour derailleur would have been the most satisfactory one to put on this model.
Again, where Motobecane is concerned, the prices are not realistic.? We predict you will find the 'Mirage' priced between $125 and $135, which is fair and decent for this model and which makes it competitive with its brother and sister Gitane and Peugeot models.
1973 Motobecane Grand Touring - $145 ($160 - $165)
The 'Grand Touring' will most likely retail for about $165 in most areas. It is a well thought out bicycle with Weinmann or Mafac Lux center pulls with quick release action, Stronglight chainwheel, quick release Normandy hubs and Huret Allvit Luxe wide ratio derailleur.? Although the Stronglight is not the best chainwheel from that manufacturer, it is a good one.? This is a better constructed derailleur than the one found on the 'Mirage', and the rider will not be plagued by quirky shifting movement.
We recommend the 'Grand Touring' at $165 as a good clincher-tired touring bicycle.? It is about the equivalent of the Gitane 'Interclub'.? We suggest you shop both models and choose for yourself - keeping in mind that Gitane is more widely distributed than Motobecane at this time.
1973 Motobecane Le Champion - $300
'Le Champion' is a good buy for $300.? The custom hand-built frame is Reynolds double butted tubing throughout.? It has Campagnolo hubs and the Nuovo Record derailleur.? The Stronglight cotterless crank is a good standard French crank.? The Universal center pull brakes are quite adequate.
The bicycle weighs 23 pounds, which makes it too heavy if you want to race; but it's a fine touring bicycle.
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Assuming that you have not already found the following references, you may also wish to consult that which was written in the form of contemporary "Road Tests" and subsequently published in the likes of Bicycling and Bike World:
1973 Motobecane Le Champion:
http://www.wooljersey.com/
1974 Motobecane Grand Jubile:
http://www.wooljersey.com/
1977 Motobecane Grand Touring:
http://www.wooljersey.com/
1978 Motobecane Tandem:
http://www.wooljersey.com/
And finally, there are several copies of vintage Motobecane catalogs posted across the vast expanse of the internet including this one of the 1976 edition which can be found at Mark Bulgier's fine website:
http://bulgier.net/
Regards,
Robert "Fallen Francophile" Broderick ...the "Frozen Flatlands" of South Dakota Sioux Falls, USA
-----Original Message----- From: classicrendezvous-bounces@bikelist.org [mailto:classicrendezvous-bounces@bikelist.org] On Behalf Of George Handy Sent: Sunday, April 05, 2009 8:43 PM To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org Subject: [CR] How much when new?
Greetings all-
I've finally completed the 'refreshment' of my 1976 Motobecane Grand? Record. I plan on doing a little 'show-and-tell' at our next bike? club meeting. What would this bike have sold for new? And, just for? comparisons sake, how about a similar vintage Schwinn Varsity and,? say, a Peugeot PX10.
Thanks for any info-
George Handy in cool & windy Arlington Texas USA