Aardwolf

Cheers.
I think the red side walls actually work (they were £10 cheaper).
I'm thinking about a red bike lock too - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Master-Lock...1&sr=8-33&th=1

Bellet

Very nice. I surely wouldn't mind finding another one. Someday maybe! And cheers back.

Oldpeddaller

I love the look of your Avanti - my Holdsworth Pro was resprayed in the same colour - really gleams in the sun! (Plus everybody knows that red cars and bikes are just naturally faster!) Six and a half miles after a thirty year lay off is great! Well done you!

Aardwolf

According to the catalogue it's "Red Pearl" and that's the only colour it came in.
Elan was "Ice blue pearl", Mistral was "Sable brown pearl" or "Spruce green pearl".
The "pearl" finish does have a slight shimmer effect.

It's good to know I could get it resprayed in the correct colour - I really like it too

amulinder

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-H...-127635-2958-0

Would really value thoughts about this bike. The frame number, if correct, dates it to 1951.

However the blue enamel badge places it at 1953 (I believe).

It's obviously a track frame, do we know track frames were produced for Sirocco/Whirlwind models?

I have never seen this lugwork before on a Holdsworth. At first I thought it was a mix of fancy fishtail and spearpoint, but actually looks like two half moons (going for a Scirocco North African feel?).

I'm not doubting it's a Holdsworth, just never seen the lugs before and certainly not on a Sirocco/Whirlwind road frame.

Would love to hear what other people make of it.

dwscrimshaw@bti

I did contact the seller and the ad is now correct. its is a late Zephyr from 1958. The lug work changed to this design with fluted seat stay caps you can see the details on the history site, Holdsworth Zephyr. I have two of them with numbers close to this one. I am not sure about track Sirocco's, But I have not seen one.

trailmix

Picked up an 81 Mistral this afternoon. Seems to be in decent shape, it is my first Holdsworth and I don’t know much about them. I am a big fan of 80s touring bikes and this one seemed like it would fit in nicely with my others.

sced

^^^^ Looks to be in fantastic condition......You have ~50 bikes?

merziac

At least.

machinist42

Congratulations on your new Holdsworth!

Are you sure it's a "Mistral?" The Head Tube lugs and seatstay treatment seems inconsistent with the "Mistral" model.


1981 Catalog.

I suspect it's a "Special." The serial number should reveal which year.

trailmix

Thanks, it definitely will need some TLC to be road ready.

trailmix

I probably should count them?

trailmix

Like I said, I know next to nothing about Holdsworth bikes but it says Mistral on the top tube. The S/N is 0322xx if that helps. Pardon my ignorance but what are the differences between a Mistral and a Special?

machinist42

source



source



source

trailmix

I measured the wheelbase and it matches the 41” specified for the Mistral model. Although it isn’t listed, I would assume the Special had a shorter wheelbase. Anybody happen to know the wheelbase of a Special?

Aardwolf

https://www.nkilgariff.com/HoldsCats...2Catalogue.htm

The 1982 catalogue has
Nuovo Record 39"
Special and Elan 40"
Mistral and Lady Mistral 41.5"

I can't see the numbers in the 1981 catalogue

trailmix

According to these advertisements, appears to be a Mistral.

trailmix

Just counted, 56 complete bikes and probably enough frames and parts to build 5 more.

trailmix

Just remembered, I also keep 4 at work

machinist42

<sigh emoji>

As I mentioned previously, the head tube lug on your example is not consistent with the Holdsworth "Mistral" model. One of the defining characteristics of the "Mistral" is the use of the "Wolf Ear Head Tube Lugs." I may be missing them, have faulty peepers, but I don't see "Wolf Ear Head Tube Lugs" on your Holdsworth.

Compare the details of the frames in the two 1981 Catalog scans.

More difficult to discern from your photographs is whether the seat stay wraps over completely.

Perhaps if you posted more photos of the frame details..?

thook

I know this is an old post, but if there's any chance you'd reply and care to share the powder color on that frame I'd love to know it! (PM sent) Thanks!

machinist42

(random photo snatched off the interwebpipes)



@trailmix example

trailmix

Why would someone go to so much trouble to make a fake Mistral? It isn’t like they are valuable or anything. Oh well, I am going to get it road ready and ride it for a bit to see if I like it and if not, I will use the parts for another frame. The parts are worth what I paid for the complete bike so I am not too worried about buying a counterfeit.
I appreciate your expertise and time.

machinist42

If the Serial Number is located where it should be, it's a real Holdsworthy Factory Product, and a Very Fine Bicycle. I am not suggesting it is a "Fake." I am suggesting it is not a "Mistral." It is entirely possible in the 40+ years since the frame was built it has been resprayed professionally, and they didn't have "Special" or "Whichever Model It Really Is" decals on hand but did have "Mistral" slides so slid them on. The other Holdsworth decals do not match the ones I've seen on other Holdsworths from 1981, which supports this notion.

It is also possible the Factory mislabeled your bike. It is also possible I and the Catalog are entirely wrong and that year's Mistral did not feature "Wolf Ear Lugs." A lot of things are possible which don't involve deliberate deception on anyone's part.

It's not a "Professional." It may not be a "Special." Which size seat pillar fits?

I only mentioned my doubts as to your bike being a "Mistral" on the off chance your only source of knowing the model was the Seller. I did not see it was labeled a Mistral until you posted that photo. I sought to inform, not to malign.

I mean no disrespect to you or your fine new old Holdsworth.

trailmix

Oh I certainly was not offended and I think you are probably correct about this bike. The lugs definitely look different from other Mistral models posted on various websites but the lugs do appear to match some photos of an Elan that I found. Your assessment is likely accurate, maybe a Holdsworth but probably a different model that had Mistral decals added to a respray. Anyway, if I felt disrespected when someone with superior knowledge tried to educate me, I would miss a great opportunity to learn. Thanks again.