Re: [CR] Stella Arctic

(Example: Framebuilders:Jack Taylor)

Date: Wed, 16 Dec 2009 14:58:07 -0800
From: "verktyg" <verktyg@aol.com>
To: Paul Walker <starsinmypockets@gmail.com>, <Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
References: <4e4aec1c0912161349i219740rdfab8a290ab2e0c3@mail.gmail.com>
In-Reply-To: <4e4aec1c0912161349i219740rdfab8a290ab2e0c3@mail.gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [CR] Stella Arctic


This bike was kicked around on some other web site last year???

I can't add to what Jerry said about the Arctic brand but a number of importers of French makes had private label bikes built for them. Beacon Cycles sold Astra badged Motobecanes and Mel Pinto distributed Royal Asport Gitanes during the height of the US Bike Boom. Why? Bigger base of dealers.

The Columbus decal says 3 TUBES RENFORCES in French meaning only the 3 main tubes were made with Columbus; probably SP which was more common on production frames of that era than the lighter SL tubing.

The forks and stays were most likely made of Durifort as Stella produced some frames made with all Durifort tubes. It was common during the 60s and early 70s for better quality French bikes to have Reynolds 531 main tubes and Durifort forks and stays.

As far as ride and handling, Stella produced some nice light weight entry level models during the Boom. This was probably a mid range model for Stella. Their top of the line models had all Columbus tubing and either all French or all Campy components (except maybe for brakes).

And the mismatched components, some Stellas came that way???

Chas. Colerich Oakland, CA USA

Paul Walker wrote:
> I found this with all sorts of mismatched parts on it and took it down to
> the frame (leaving the bottom bracket cups just to be nice) to sell. I'm
> curious if anyone knows anything about this bike. I've never seen the gold
> Columbus sticker. Any guesses as to the date? Nice lugs and dropouts... not
> too light.
>
> Photos:
> http://s282.photobucket.com/albums/kk253/firehousebicycles/Stella%20Arctic/
>
> Paul Walker
> Firehouse Bicycles
> Philadelphia, PA
> USA