[CR]The pride of Sweden

(Example: Framebuilding:Paint)

Date: Sun, 05 Jan 2003 20:18:07 -0500
From: "The Maaslands" <TheMaaslands@comcast.net>
To: Classic Rendezvous <Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Subject: [CR]The pride of Sweden

As I am sure that our Swedish listmembers will agree, here is the pride of Swedish cycling production (tongue firmly in cheek). It is an Itera bike made by the company Wilhelmina Plast in the town of Wilhelmina which you will find on a map of Northern Sweden, near the arctic circle. I should know because I went to visit the factory in the darkest part of the winter of January 1983, heck the sun had already set at 2 PM. With the goal of stimulating industry in this remote area of Sweden, the Swedish government pumped large sums of money into the development of this stillborn bicycle made almost entirely out of plastic.

Just what every true bicycle collector needs to complete their collection.

Even though the bike was far from successful, the wheels did become quite sought after in the world of pacer horse racing. They were used on sulkies. I seem to recall that is also how Phil Wood got through some tough financial times (Sulkies and wheel chair hubs!)

Look at the auction and I guarantee that you will dream sweet dreams tonight.

http://cgi.ebay.de/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1986157382&category=33503

Steven Maasland Moorestown, NJ

PS: Yes it is On-topic as they started building them in the late 70's and they did make a racing version. There is even one in Philadelphia equipped with a Campagnolo derailleur and lightweight CLB brakes.

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