[CR] Forgotten Models

(Example: History:Ted Ernst)

Date: Wed, 23 Nov 2005 14:22:31 +0000 (GMT)
From: "Michael Butler" <pariscycles@yahoo.co.uk>
Subject: [CR] Forgotten Models
To: CR Rendezvous <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>


Occasionally a CR posting reminds us of a famous maker but what about the long forgotten models they made which have simply vanished from our memories. One such model that is worthy of a mention is the A.S.Gillott "Alpine Tourist De Luxe". Anybody ever heard of this rarity. I have only ever seen one which I had the privilege to briefly ride. This machine belonged to the late SVCC stalwart Frank Whitt. It was a tourist's delight. Welded lugless frame 71 parallel angles. 3" fork rake. 42.5" wheelbase. This frame had every clip, lug, bracket and cable stop brazed on. This included the steel rear pannier rack, no slipping or annoying rattles here. It was fitted with double clngers 46T/30T and Simplex Tourist Gears. four speed block 15-17-19-21 giving ratios of 37" to 79" in nice practical steps. Came with good old 26 x 1 3/8" wheels with Dunlop alloy EA's and John Bull Safety Speed tyres. GB Grand Tour QR brakes remember them? Alloy guards re-inforeced on the front to carry a dynamo headlamp. They even put the frame number on a separate brazed plate on the head. Rene Herse? No a Gillott for me. Clearing out old catalogues and magazines when my fast vanishing brain cells were seriously jogged by those yellowing pages.

Thats all for now. Keep those wheels spinning, in your memories if not still on the road. Be lucky Mick Butler Huntingdon UK.