Early 50s La Gazelle - Eau-de-Nil 🛠️ The Merlot Aftermath 🍷

[chickendrumsticks]

Excellent! Great research throughout.

 

[Imlach]

Can someone find a bike with no brand to start a new adventure like this, I feel post-mystery resolution depression now.

 

[Woz]

More of the decal on the seat-tube.

On one side it says "World Champion 1937"*, on the other side it says "9 Times French Champion". I have not yet found anything more about this; don't know if it concerns Road, Track, Cyclo-cross, Male, Female, Junior, Amateur or Professional.

The signature on the part at the top I have found out - Gérard Leroy - eventual owner (the son?) after the founder. Here he is behind the counter.

Frames hanging up, tyres and tubs hanging up, and bike parts in glass cabinets




I'm still struggling to find out what the signature on the bottom part says.



* I'm fairly sure it is 1937, but it could be 1931 - the French typically put a strike through on the sevens at least in written form.

EDIT: A correction after checking the signature much closely.

 

[dorset boy]

Useless information but i have a head full of it ! Eau-de Nil is the colour the British military paint their engines.

 

[Woz]

@dorset boy - cool contribution. Paint left overs made there way over to France for post-war bikes?

 

[Mickeyspinn]

Yes I make that 37
Just lifted this from the shops Facebook...
Much later but interestingly frame and guards same colour..!? Maybe that's a shop thing?
Again proudly displaying the champion stripes!

 

[Mickeyspinn]

@dorset boy - cool contribution. Paint left overs made there way over to France for post-war bikes?

Your asking the wrong question!
It should be....do you think it will fit?

 

[chickendrumsticks]

Your asking the wrong question!
It should be....do you think it will fit?

Fit it sideways above the bottom bracket. Can't reach the pedals? No problem!

 

[Woz]

@Mickeyspinn did some top detective work last night and sent me some great information concerning the 1937 World Championships and that signature name at the bottom of the seat-tube decal.

Jef (or Jeff or Joseph) Scherens won the 1937 World Track Sprint event. Indeed, the signature on the frame reads "Scherens"

I've looked for photographs and can't find any of the event. Also, it looks like at that time the UCI were very picky about advertising and all bikes seem to have no decals at all - I guess they were strict that you were supposed to be riding for your country. Found this very cool advertising poster though that will look great in the man-cave with the bike.

 

[Imlach]