Thanks to all of you with knowledgeable responses and educated guesses! It just goes to show you: a badge does not a great bike make!
I'm over my infatuation!
On another subject: Has anyone ever heard of a Japanese "bike boom" era 10-spd named "Astra"? I friend at my local bike shop just got one in tire but mostly original condition. I'd say it looks to be about late 60's but here are some of the details:
Wing nut hubs 27" steel rims Mystery Japanese tubing (prob. Hi-ten?) Derailleurs are Huret copies Metallic green with white panels, sticker-style head badge.
Just curious about this bike as I've never seen one and thought it might be of interest to the "Japanophiles" on the list like me...
John Lima
Wakefield, RI