Re: [CR] eBay outing nostalgic Raleigh Gran Sports

(Example: Component Manufacturers:Chater-Lea)

From: "P.C. Kohler" <kohl57@starpower.net>
To: <jerrymoos@sbcglobal.net>, <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>, <fyrtom@yahoo.com>
References: <1829.59266.qm@web82205.mail.mud.yahoo.com>
Date: Sun, 1 Mar 2009 13:23:29 -0500
Subject: Re: [CR] eBay outing nostalgic Raleigh Gran Sports


It's helpful I think to treat the 1962-66 Raleigh Gran Sport, model 74, as a completely different machine in all respects, from the Raleigh Gran Sport, model DL-160, c. 1971-79. Because it was. The two have absolutely nothing in common with each other other than the name. Different eras, different model nos and built by wholly different factories.

The model 74 was the flagship of Raleigh top-of-the-line "lightweights" which were made in Nottingham and were all 2030 tubed and of course anything but "lightweight". Wild and wacky graphics (check out the seat tube decal on this!), cool colours and primo components on a heavy frame. An odd combination at best. The derailleur and cranks on this eBay example have obviously been swapped and the choice of components is of no consequence since the previous owner(s) did it.

These are actually hard to find with any original components as they were, like so many Pros and Internationals later, stripped of their primo bits. And finding with in this condition with the original decals in such good condition is very desirable since no one (not even Greg Softley!) has tried to reproduce these delightfully complex graphics.

Peter Kohler
Washington DC USA