turky lurkey

Here is the ad (no picture):

Selling 2 vintage 1960 Schwinn Continental Touring 10 Speed bicycles.

"Serial Numbers L037043 and L041673 made in November 1960.
They are 2 different size frames, I believe they are 19" and 21".
Original paint and decals with some minor chips and scratches.
Brand new tubes and tires.

Both need to be rebuilt to get running again and are missing some original parts but frames are in fairly good condition. I would like to sell these together as they have been together for 50+ years."

I emailed the seller already. It's impossible to know the condition of the bikes and what parts are missing/not original, but I would assume these are worth a bit more than your average 70's Continentals if they are in decent shape. What is a realistic ball park ebay value of one of these? Assuming a condition of fair but missing some original parts.

I would probably want to keep one for my collection if they are in decent shape and hopefully sell the other one to pay for it.

Metacortex

Based on the fact that they are small tourist models and especially the "need to be rebuilt to get running again and are missing some original parts but frames are in fairly good condition" description and no pics I'd say they are worth $75 to $100 each. Original parts are very difficult (and expensive) to find and I'm not optimistic about the paint, decal and chrome condition. They could be worth much more than that if they were larger sports models in good condition and especially with all original parts. I see from looking at the listing that the asking price is on the high side at $300 for both.

turky lurkey

Thanks! I hadn't realized until after I started this thread and did a bit more research that the "Continental Touring" bike was a little different than the drop bar bike I had in mind. After I realized that I had a feeling they were probably not a good deal. Like you said though, it would be neat to find a "Sports" model 1960 Continental in good condition.

0.2HP

Therefore it is impossible to know the value. Someone who knows something is going to have to inspect these bikes to know anything about them.

turky lurkey

Sure, but when you quoted half my sentence you changed the context a bit. The rest of the sentence included "if they are in decent shape". In reality I do know a little about old Schwinns and am capable of assessing condition, but it can't hurt to ask for the opinion of someone like Metacortex who is obviously an expert.

I also included "Assuming a condition of fair but missing some original parts."

FastJake

IMO they are worth a little more than a 70s Continental but not a lot. I had a 1964 Continental a while back. I thought I would ride it. I quickly lost interest in a 40lb tank with a 1-piece crank and steel rims. They have a couple neat features not seen on the later bike-boom Schwinns, mine had downtube shifters for example. I think I got $125 for mine in "decent" shape with original paint and parts.

John E

Years ago someone brought a 19" and a 21" 10-speed Conti. with upright bars to my office in San Diego. I wonder if those are the same bikes.

Coppertone, a little rough, but not terrible condition, although 10 years after I saw them, who knows?

The Golden Boy 

I realize this is a 2 year old post and haven't seen FastJake post in a while...

That was it for me as well. As cool as the Continental is, the graphics, the vintage "class" of it... It's still a Continental- an excellent bike for what it is, but that's not what I was looking for.