Holdsworth Special 1979. Value???

Farmerbloke

Retro Newbie
Hi all.

Please could anyone give me a rough idea what my 1979 Holdworth Special might be worth?

Serial number 022685, purple, fairly original and had little use.

I've look on Tinternet, and the values are far and few between and vary wildly.

Thanks, Rob.
 
Photos added.
I have the original handlebars, but not currently fitted.
Thanks.
 

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I’d suggest you clean it up get rid of those hideous bars, stem etc.,first as right now being a large frame possible 25” in the current set upthere maybe not many takers…..but get it looking like a proper road bike first would be my advice…others may have different ideas…. 🤔
 
Its a nice bike in near original trim.

Downsides are that Holdsworths/Clauds of that era aren't especially rare, and there is a limited market for a garden gate sized frame. The Holdsworth name does make old men get all misty eyed, but there is never a shortage of them for sale. Indeed, it was only a few years ago I was given one in that size gratis, in not much worse condition and in all original spec (I gave the vendor a beer based thank you).

On the plus side, while they're not super exotic they do ride very nicely, and that size would fit me nicely!

I think a realistic price range would be £100-£125ish, maybe a bit less because there aren't that many buyers who'll fit a 26" frame, maybe a bit more of the right buyer of the right height happens along. Im afraid you won't be going to the Bahamas on the proceeds. Those bars and stem won't help, but shouldn't be a total turn off.

If it fits you id be inclined to fit the proper (GB?) Bars and stem, and ride it. They do ride really well, and give good comfort and a surprising turn of speed for something that isn't an out and out sports machine.

BTW, the rear mech - and it likely is original - dates the bikes assembly no older than 1981. The frame may have been manufacturered in 1979, but Holdsworth are famed for keeping frames in stock and not building them up for several years, sometimes even after the model was officially deleted from the catalogue.
 
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I agree with Nob. Get it looking like a road bike (with or without mudguards) and if you're determined to sell it then hang out at Eroica events looking for 6'4"+ blokes or ones with abnormally long legs. That's a good set of components and 531 Butted throughout with forged dropouts is pretty good too (much better than many gas pipe bikes posted on RB), so time spent with some Autosol a soft cloth and some elbow grease would be a wise move. Chopper's guide price seems a bit low based on asking prices for bog standard steel relics, but the very large size does limit your market.

If your photographing it for sale. raise the seat so that it is above the handlebar stem, keep the saddle level (those copper rivets will shine given some work btw), re-tape the bars, setting the brake levers at the sort of positions you see on old TdF bikes and invest in some toe-clips and straps. If it were me, I'd replace all the cables (because it is pretty cheap to do). Photograph from the chainwheel side.
 
Yeah, having slept on it maybe I was a little pessimistic on the price by 25 or 50 quid. But not by more than that, seeing as I still periodically come across people actually giving away 70's and 80's Holdsworths and Clauds. It's the pre Holdsworthy ltd era that go for the sweet money.

If you did decide to sell the bike Farmerbloke please let us know. One thing I struggle with a bit with classic bikes of all stripes is finding ones to fit a 35 inch inside leg!

ZG862 is right, just a little work would make that into a really lovely machine.
 
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