[CR] Paramount History (Ed Granger)

(Example: Racing:Jean Robic)

To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Date: Sun, 13 Jun 2010 15:46:12 -0400
From: <edvintage63@aol.com>
Subject: [CR] Paramount History (Ed Granger)


By '63, the catalog does differentiate between two different road models - the P-13 and P-12, with the Campagnolo crankset being specifically mentioned here in the text as "standard equipment" that distinguishes the P-13 from the P-12 (pictured with the Stronglight cranks). The catalog is listed as '63 on Bob Hufford's site, but I can't confirm that, and we all know catalogs aren't always the final word.:

http://www.velobration.com/sldbdealer/1963/63dlct03.html

To indulge in a bit of speculation, perhaps Schwinn was getting enough orders for the Campagnolo alloy crank upgrade that it split the Campagnolo-equipped Paramount out as a separate model in '63. As for the P-11 Tourist, I had one from '61 that came with the famous "Paramount" crankset, though that was not the catalog spec for that year.

Ed Granger Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA

__________________________________________________________

" When I first saw the Paramount listing, which would have been Fall '62 or Spring '63, I'm 99% certain that the stock crank was the 3-arm steel Stronglight Competition, a very fine forged item (I put it in the same class as the senior Magistroni, etc). The Paramount was $200, and Campy cranks were a $25 option. "

My '60 Tourist has the steel Stronglight Competition cranks and Campy Grand Sport der's. The Alloy Campy cranks were an option in the catalog.

David Cowie
Oakland, Oregon