New Acquisition - 1976 (?) Claud Butler Olympic

[Nessy]

So the start of my next project is a random chance I came across this through a friend, I got the frame plus a few handlebars, stems, tyres, mallard pedals, a back wheel etc all Looked to be NOS and got the lot including the frame for £25.

Unsure if it is in the original paintwork as it seems hard to find many images online or ones for sale/sold in these colours but the decals look original and it has the Ribble Cycles sticker on the seat tube where it was obviously sold from so I don’t think a restoration would probably have that sticker.
BB stamp is 003733 so from little info I could find online it looks to be a 1976?

If anyone has any sources of info on it, what it could be worth etc (not that I intend to sell) it would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Peachy!]

Yup, late 1976, Olympic (road) All absolutely original paint work. £25? Wow!
Stunner. What would you like to know about it?

The number suggest it was produced after the July 1976 numbering system change, but the Olympic had been dropped from the catalogues by then so it’s probably one of the very last road Olympics built.
The only reference we have is from a leaflet listing from 1976;

 

[Peachy!]

And this from 1972

 

[AndyMart]

You've done very well for £25! Should build into a very nice bike.

 

[Nessy]

Thanks @Peachy! for the catalog snippets and the confirmation of the original paintwork etc. I wonder what it would be worth then In today’s market, guess you would need to find the right buyer. It’s staying anyway unless someone put in an offer I saw as worthwhile parting with it.

@AndyMart cheers £25 was including quite a bit of NOS as well, I couldn’t turn it down but loved the look of the frame as soon as I saw it.

in terms of build I am a huge fixed gear enthusiast so it may be that route or if I can find more info off the back of Peachys findings I may go full a full era correct type build

 

[Peachy!]

As for worth? Difficult one. Certainly more than £25 that’s for sure.
If it had been a few years older with double butted (so lighter) tubing with track rear facing dropouts & in this condition it would be worth a lot more, as it is it’s still a good hand built frame, and in great condition so maybe £150?

 

[Nessy]

Got myself abit of a bargain then for sure!

I have seen the Olympic Track they do look very nice.
Thanks for the info @Peachy! much appreciated.

I will update the thread as the build progresses…

 

[Nessy]

Finally got around to getting the frame out again and see what I had in the spares bins to build her up.

As always I’ve gone with my preferred Fixed Gear build, here is the outcome so far.

1976 Claud Butler Olympic Road Frame 58”
NoLogo Fixed Gear 700c in GatorSkins
Strong light Cranks & Chainwheel
Running 52x16
New Bottom Bracket
FWE Budget Bar Tape for now
Giant Saddle
Some wellgo pedals I found in the shed

Initial shakedown rides she feels solid so look forward to adding some Better components in the coming weeks.

 

[chickendrumsticks]

You'll be wanting at least one (front) brake to be Road legal there. Plus it'll be good for your safety...
Nice buy BTW.

 

[Nessy]

Yep, will be changing the handlebars to pursuit bars and using a TT bike lever for front brake. Got a cross top lever for these bars to go on in the interim just need to get an old caliper found first