A Worthy Holdsworth, 1960s?

[Robbied196]

I've just picked up this Holdsworth, it looks to have been rebuilt with later components. I decided to go for it as the paint is original and under the dirt in excellent condition. Seems to be a 60s frame with half chrome forks, a combination that's always been difficult to resist At some point it had been physically assaulted with a pair of straight bars and a plastic saddle. I had to save its embarrassment and get those removed! Its crying out for a Brooks B15.

I've tracked down plenty of Holdsworth info and catalogues but I've not found an obvious model match. The frame number is 93092 and it has a grease point on the bottom bracket also has the metal headbadge. Anyone got any clues to model or year?

Cheers
Rob

 

[sisyphus]

That's lovely and in great condition. Just that saddle and a good clean. What model is it? A typhoon?

 

[ScillySuffolk]

No doubt you've come across this site?

I'm not sure the serial number you've quoted is right: check the steerer where (assuming the forks are original to the frame) the s/n is repeated but won't be obscured by paint.

There are serial numbers quoted on the Holdsworth page at Classic Lightweights and also on the Readers' Bikes page, from which I was able to date mine to late 1959/early 1960 with a s/n of 27250. The latest s/n I can find is 30832 of 1967: this makes your s/n seem unlikely.

The Reynolds 531 sticker was in use until 1981, and the Holdsworth head badge became a transfer in the late Seventies, so it's no later than that.

 

[keithglos]

It feels to me like one of the last W F Holdsworth rather than a Holdsworthy Company. The exact date of the change seems a little mysterious.
I can't remember Holdsworthy using that long fork rake.

 

[torqueless]

That's a post-'77 Reynolds decal.

 

[ScillySuffolk]

What changed in '77?

I was going by a pdf available from the Reynolds website.

 

[Midlife]

Ti only stuck their name on the decals in 1977.

Shaun

 

[Robbied196]

Thanks for the info so far

I've checked out the links and done a bit of searching. The frame number is on the left side rear drop out, this seems a bit unusual as from what I've read they numbered them on the drop out in the 50s. Its definitely 93092.

I'll take the forks off later and see what the steerer number is or if there is one!

Not sure about it being a Typoon, I've had a quick look through some photo's and it seems different.

 

[Midlife]

It's often difficult to pin the exact model down as back then people could order changes to "off the peg" frames, not major changes but different braze ons, paint finishes and the like.

Shaun

 

[Robbied196]

It's often difficult to pin the exact model down as back then people could order changes to "off the peg" frames, not major changes but different braze ons, paint finishes and the like.

Shaun

Thanks Shaun. Its getting a bit curious. The paintwork has the right feel of age although it could have been refinished a long time ago. Bit strange to have a post 77 Reynolds decal and a grease nipple on the BB. Frame is 27.2mm so Reynolds 531, just thought I'd check!

I've taken off the forks and the number matches with an 'L' in front of the number and a '6' above.