Don Gillies posted:
Well, at least it was a happy valentine's day for SOMEONE ...
$1351 + $90 shipping. I think this is definitely a record price for a Raleigh that's NOT NIB/NOS (note that two NOS/NIB mid-70's bikes were sold in the $2000-$3000 range a few years ago on ebay.) Wowie !!!
- Don Gillies San Diego, CA, USA
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just to second John Barron's comments...I don't think this is a surprising outcome at all. That was a very clean piece, appeared all-original, or nearly, and those very early Raleigh Pros are quite difficult to come by in any condition, let alone as clean as that one.
A later Pro in similar condition might have gone for under a grand. But a Pro like this, so tough to find, and a decent size--not quite in the middle of the curve though--23" is on the big side--a 21-22" bike would likely have sold for even more.
I think John is also correct that the most desirable high-end vintage bikes are still under-valued, with the occasional exception. I'm still gobsmacked at the $3000 price that lovely chromed Herse randonee bike sold for not long ago, one of Alex's finds. Sure, it probably needed to be rechromed, but it was *totally original!* if I recall correctly. A bike like that is not easy to find anymore. And it was a perfect size for many people. That bike was a steal, whoever got it. I'm still kicking myself for not pulling the trigger on it myself.
It's a great time to be looking for these beauties. Not so great a time to sell them <g>
Charles Andrews Los Angeles
Q: "Why do people spoil everything for themselves?
A: "In big ways, and little ways too, people do that all the time to themselves. We can't stand prosperity. We have to tinker with the machinery."
--John D. MacDonald