1950 Gillott Continental

[Martin Rattler]

P1010049 by JuanM58, on Flickr


Gillott 2 by JuanM58, on Flickr


Gillott 1 by JuanM58, on Flickr


Gillott 3 by JuanM58, on Flickr


P1010048 by JuanM58, on Flickr

I saw this frame on EBay a couple of months ago. It didn't seem to be attracting much interest and as it was local I thought I would kick myself if it went unsold so I put in a bid and won it. The Continental was Gillott's entry level model using proprietry lugs but that said it is beatifully built and just oozes quality. The lugs are nicely thinned out and just look at those pencil stays, how elegant is that!

Having googled Gillott Continental beforehand the very same frame appeared and it turned out that it had been owned by the V-CC marque enthusiast and contacting him after purchase revealed a little of its history. The story is that it was raced by the original owner until the early 60s then braze-on fittings were added for touring. The ME bought it from the original owner in '95 and used it for commuting with a child seat fitted. He decided to return it to its former glory and original spec and this was carried out by Bill Gray and refinishing by Mario Vaz. He later sold it to the chap that I purchased it from; so I am the 4th owner in 64 years.

I intend to set it up as 10 speed which probably won't be correct for 1950 but I will certainly try to use period parts as far as I am able. So, a few snaps are attached of the frame and the collection of tatty and filthy bits and pieces that I have collected so far. This is going to be a bit of a slow burner I think so I will try to post pics and updates as the build goes along.

 

[biggs682]

looks fantastic

 

[Spokesmann]

Thats a stunning frameset. Goes to show there are still rare classics out there that can be had 'relatively' cheaply.

 

[Hillwalker]

Very, very nice indeed

HW

 

[Martin Rattler]

Re:


Headset by JuanM58, on Flickr

I picked up a box of Brampton headset parts for a few quid at the Ripley jumble the other week and sorting through them I found two complete sets (less balls and spacers) and many odds and ends. Cleaned up, I fitted one to the Gillot yesterday. The crown and top races were a sloppy fit so I replaced these from a more modern scrap set that I had; Cobra I think. The original races should make up another set with the remaining spares.

I had a little problem seating the top race with the usual tap from a mallet so I pressed it in using my home-made bearing press and once cramped up the race seated with a satisfying 'dink'. Unfortunately these races are painted black rather than chromed but perhaps something better will turn up later. Headset built up with new balls and it all feels very nice and I quite like the 'flying saucer' effect! Dropped in a AVA stem which won't make the final build - I have a nice GB spearpoint waiting, also dropped in an ITM alloy seatpost - not the right epoch really but it will do until something better turns up. More soon.

 

[Martin Rattler]

Re:


P1010085 by JuanM58, on Flickr


P1010086 by JuanM58, on Flickr


P1010088 by JuanM58, on Flickr


P1010087 by JuanM58, on Flickr

I have been making some progress with the Gillott. A grubby set of early Universal 51 sourced from EBay have cleaned cleaned up very nicely; levers are GB Superhood from stock and again these were pretty tatty but have cleaned up well. The GB spearpoint stem is again from EBay and is a little more pitted than I would like; I'm not sure whether these will clean up much better than this without some fairly harsh abrasive but the patina is rather in keeping with the GB Olympic bars that I picked up from a jumble a few months ago. The wheels are Alesa rims on Airlite HF hubs, 32/40, the rear being fixed/free with a Regina 14-24 5-speed block. Front wheel secured by some rather groovy wingnuts but I would like to get hold of some bronze ones, I love the contrast between the polished brass and alloy as on the brakes. The rear wheel appears to have been built 3-cross rather than 4 but I don't think it's that noticeable. The saddle is a well-used B17N and I appear to have fitted the saddle clamp round the wrong way; but you get the idea. More in the fullness of time!

 

[Spokesmann]

Re:

A very elegant looking machine.

 

[restlessnative]

Nice, I like the patina on the bars / stem

 

[Jonny69]

Lovely set of wheels, it's really looking good! 3 cross is normal for a back wheel, why would you want 4 cross out of interest?

 

[mrcpea]

Very nice