Hi Chas, Thanks. I tracked down a 537 Luxe on eBay for the 68 frame that I have. It is stamped 4/68, which is perfect. It has the black label as shown in the various links shown in this thread. So, you are right, it was an advertising ploy and the 537 Luxe was an early Criterium.
The matching front derailleur looks like the Prestige model, but it has an alloy cap on the black body (red plastic on the Prestige model) and chromed clamp. It is very different from the later style.
Peugeot brochures are very confusing too. They constantly used old photos and often did not list the specs. Judging by this thread, it seems that Peugeot also had a habit of trying out small changes to the paint scheme on production bikes and selling them.
Do you know what type of cable guide clamp would have been correct on the later 1960's PX-10s? Is it the type that is all-metal, with the bent tube for the RD?
All the best, Peter Rogers Barrie, Ontario, Canada
--------------------------------------------------
From: "verktyg" <verktyg@aol.com>
Sent: Tuesday, June 08, 2010 6:30 AM
To: "Peter Rogers" <pjrogers@rogers.com>; <Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Subject: Re: [CR] Peugeot PX-10 Dating - Prestige 537 Luxe
> Peter,
>
> I found a link to specs for a 1968 PX-10. The derailleurs are described as
> "SIMPLEX PRESTIGE 537 LUXE".
>
> http://www.velo-pages.com/
>
> By 1968 the derailleurs on a PX-10 would have been Prestige Criterium or
> just plain Criterium.
>
> Like I mentioned before, I've seen that spec before in French bike flyers
> but I don't think that there was ever a Simplex model by that name.
>
> "LUXE" was probably an advertising flourish used by the copywriter meaning
> "deluxe" or something like that and/or it lost something in translation.
>
> Today with computer graphics and publishing, minor editing can be done in
> minutes. Back then layout was done with physical cut and paste plus the
> text was frequently done with handset type for a small scale advertising
> flyer.
>
> The bicycle industry was not very affluent. Graphic layout, photos and
> metal printing plates could take up a big part of the advertising budget.
> Consequently the same "copy" was often used for several years.
>
> Chas. Colerich
> Oakland, CA USA
>
>
> Peter Rogers wrote:
>> Hi Guys,
>> I am not an expert on Simplex, but where does the 537 Luxe derailleur fit
>> into this picture.? I have seen this referred to as being fitted to late
>> 60's PX-10s. Is this the model number for the Criterium?
>> I always thought that the Criterium derailleur had the silver background.
>> I am getting very confused. I wish they had put the model on the
>> derailleur body, but they are all marked "PRESTIGE-SIMPLEX"
>> All the best,
>> Peter Rogers
>>
>> Barrie, Ontario, Canada