1951 Holdsworth Sirocco Track?

[MarineO6]

Getting ready to pull the trigger on this frame but can’t find it anywhere, including the 1951 Holdsworth catalog.
Serial #14085 places it in the middle of the 1951 number sequence.
The lugs and crown are exactly per the 1951 Sirocco photo in the catalog however the catalog says nothing about a Sirocco track frame which this one appears to be.
I’m getting this frame anyway, but would appreciate any info on whether Holdsworth may have made some track iterations of the Sirocco.

 

[keithglos]

Clearly not a track frame, but typical time trial and general purpose club frame.
Might have had mudguard eyes, and certainly lt has clearance for mudguards which were essential on a general purpose frame in the 1950s.

Keith

 

[keithglos]

Are those Dunlop no 1 tubulars on wood insert rims? Although a track tyre they were used for fast time trials.

Keith

 

[MarineO6]

Keith, understand this isn’t a track frame per se, but Holdsworth listed the Cyclone and Cyclone-de-luxe as available in both road and ‘track’ versions which as you noted are essentially path racer type rigs. No mudguard eyes.
However the Sirocco wasn’t shown as having a track option but there evidently was one.
Re the wheels, I’m not getting those so not sure what the tyres are although the hubs are Airlite SF. Here’s a pic of the rim label:

 

[1OldTrackGuy]

Getting ready to pull the trigger on this frame but can’t find it anywhere, including the 1951 Holdsworth catalog.
Serial #14085 places it in the middle of the 1951 number sequence.
The lugs and crown are exactly per the 1951 Sirocco photo in the catalog however the catalog says nothing about a Sirocco track frame which this one appears to be.
I’m getting this frame anyway, but would appreciate any info on whether Holdsworth may have made some track iterations of the Sirocco.

This is my old track bike. I bought it around 1988 and brought it in from the U.K. Probably have old pics how I had it set up.

 

[1OldTrackGuy]

This was when I had it - about yr 2000

 

[1OldTrackGuy]

I just found my original notes when I bought the bike. I bought it from the original owner who stated it was a 1948. I have more photos..

 

[CBguy]

Marine06

Any chance you could tell us what serial is? Number should date the frame. Should be on BB.

The Sirroco road model with these lugs was only advertised in catalogue for 1951. The same lugs were used on what was renamed the Whirlwind in 1952 and changed the following year. Legend has it that Bill Hurlow designed these lugs and their production ceased after he left Holdworth early in 1952.

Some frames that Hurlow himself built while at Holdsworth have a letter "H" near serial implying he was the builder. Any chance that is the case with your track frame?

Explanation for a "track" Sirroco not being in the caltalogue would be that this is a custom (special or made to measure) build. Specials were done by the Holdsworth factory during this period whereas by 1957 or so the WF Holdsworth Putney Shop and Reg Collard took on that job.

Doug

 

[1OldTrackGuy]

I have a feeling the new owner of this has disappeared on us as he hasn't been seen since Dec 2020.