Very Rare 57

[11TH GEN]

Spent almost three hours at this guys house this morning before I left with this 1957 Schwinn Radiant Red Phantom. Original right down to the tubes. Picture is on his back porch, first time bike has been uncovered and out of his basement since 1972. $$$$

[longbill]

Re: Very Rare 57

Used to eat my heart out for one of those when I was a kid, many, many years ago but always got my brother's hand me downs. Got my first new bike when I was 35. Bought it for myself.
A great looking bike and great find
Bill

[BirdsAndBugs]

Re: Very Rare 57

Very nice Ric. Hopefully you ride it occasionally and enjoy it. Looks like it would be fun.

[AZTB]

Re: Very Rare 57

Oh man, does that bring back memories...had a bike route when I was in grade school and one of my buddies on that route had a Schwinn just like that, only green.

[merlot4]

Re: Very Rare 57

Beautiful find. If it's original, that means the plastic and rubber is 60 years old, and 1950's plastic and rubber -what has kept it from crumbling, or did he have OEM replacement parts to draw from?

[11TH GEN]

Re: Very Rare 57

Oh man, does that bring back memories...had a bike route when I was in grade school and one of my buddies on that route had a Schwinn just like that, only green.

Jim: Was your buddies similar to this one? This is a 59 that is even more rare due to the three speed hub and front drum brake. It too is all original with the exception of the horn tank being re painted and tires replaced.

[AZTB]

Re: Very Rare 57

I think it is...wow, talk about being transported back to those early mornings of paper delivery.

[4LOWBIRDS+7]

Re: Very Rare 57

Jim: Was your buddies similar to this one? This is a 59 that is even more rare due to the three speed hub and front drum brake. It too is all original with the exception of the horn tank being re painted and tires replaced.

Good idea on no pedals, no one will ride off on that one.

[Rondor]

Re: Very Rare 57

Great bikes and memories of the best time to be a kid in America. That is also when Schwinn came out with the Corvette ( " an English Racer " ) That bike was very expensive for the time.
No pic; I didn't have one and haven't even seen one in 50 years.

[merlot4]

Re: Very Rare 57

I had forgotten what so many of these looked like.

I would still like to know how the original plastics/rubber of period bikes can be found in original condition: is it a matter of luck and good storage, or are bits that perished replaced with OEM?


https://www.google.com/search?q=schw...JzEYwiSPPJIsjX

[Gobird]

Re: Very Rare 57

When I turned 12 years old my dad took me in town to Pep Boys. We walked over to the row of new bicycles and he said pick out the one you like. This pic is pretty close to the one I picked out except mine was metallic green with a tire pump mounted on the upright bar.

[FUN X 3]

Re: Very Rare 57

That is one beautiful bike in post #1! I suspect much of the three hours was spent dickering over the final price!

[11TH GEN]

Re: Very Rare 57

Jon: The Corvettes were from 55-65 and called Middleweights, here is a pic of a 56 that I have that could use a good cosmetic restoration, no paintwork required. The second picture is a 64 Traveler IE: Racer style called a Lightweight. I sold this bike last Summer as I typically only keep the Phantoms IE: Heavyweights.

Richard: There are no plastic parts. The axles, head set and bottom brackets are all races and ball bearings unexposed to weather and they have no oil, water or fluid passing over them. Yes, over time the grease will harden up if exposed to cold weather. The rubber grips and tires are high quality and if in a climate controlled environment can last indefinitely.

I usually only deal with original paint bikes as a completely restored bike often looks over restored. The chrome is better than new, the paint is to glossy, the seats are to perfect. Look at the difference between the horn tank and the chain guard on the green bike. I had no choice but to paint the tank but it now is better than the rest of the bike.

[merlot4]

Re: Very Rare 57

Tremendous quality -and exceptional knowledge; thanks for the explanation!

[dasbayer]

Re: Very Rare 57

Bikes ..... don't need no stickin' bikes ...gotta mule!!!!!!!!!!!