1955 Schwinn Blue Phantom restored and loaded w/ NOS deluxe options and parts

[DrRumack80]

I've noticed that the 40's Continental in Blue was pretty popular. The Corvette was offered in Black, Blue, Red, Green from mid 1954 thru 1965. Coppertone was added in 1963 and the Green was dropped.

Corvette 5 speeds on the Registry
Here are the color numbers as of 12/14/2025
61-Black
45-Red
30-Blue
23-Green
1-White
1-Violet
1-Coppertone

Beautiful bike, Bob!

The balloon tire Panther was offered in two-tone blue as well and a number have turned up here in that color scheme. Still, it seems like the black/red Panther was the most popular. The blue/blue Panther was the best color for that model, IMHO.

I seem to recall a thread a few years back about an original paint Blue Phantom.

 

[Schwinn Sales West]

Sorry, Yes I knew that. So it comes down to the dealers never put in the orders so low numbers were produced and the color would have been discontinued due to low sales?

Yes, it really was a catch 22 situation. The dealers were interested in the models and colors that were the fastest sellers. The dealers needed the cash flow to pay their statements. Not all colors and models were available to the customer due to what the dealer wanted to carry. For example, my family’s dealerships in Arizona never stocked the 200 series Varsity models (with fenders), so our sales history would show low sales. John

 

[SJ_BIKER]

Blue panthers are my cup of tea!!
But second to the blue phantom...
But first to the black phantom...hope I'm making sense

 

[OC_Rolling_Art]

Lookin' sharp Bob, congrats on finishing this one and congrats to the new owner. Blue is by far my favorite color.

 

[acv2jose]

Yep beyond words. I rode with the proud owner yesterday. Incredible bike!

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Fantastic job.

 

[poolboy1]

Nice Bob brought back memories of me getting one all done up in blue.
front and rear drum brakes,
NOS cadet and USA whitewall typhoon.
At the time I drove to Fallbrook and had Bailey recover my seat and I didn’t know you Bob at the time, Gary @ Team Bike in Huntington Beach is the one that restored it

 

[bobcycles]

Nice Bob brought back memories of me getting one all done up in blue.
front and rear drum brakes,
NOS cadet and USA whitewall typhoon.
At the time I drove to Fallbrook and had Bailey recover my seat and I didn’t know you Bob at the time, Gary @ Team Bike in Huntington Beach is the one that restored it

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Sweet! Still gots? or found a new owner? Looks like he chose to paint in a Non Metallic blue tho?

 

[poolboy1]

Sweet! Still gots? or found a new owner? Looks like he chose to paint in a Non Metallic blue tho?

No, it’s long gone. A doctor pulled it from my hands years ago. He had to have it. I think I put about 175 miles on it. I used to go once a month. It was my rider down to the beach all by myself or with a buddy. I also had a red one we would just cruise around. Yes the metallic was not an option for me. I don’t care for it. I figured since the bike never existed. It really wouldn’t matter and if you saw the bike in person, it was absolutely beautiful. Very tastefully done. In my opinion Gary did a great job. I had Ron Houk find me the front and rear drum brakes. Remember, I’m not a Schwinn Guy. I’ve had a few.
I also had original girls blue Phantom all done up sold that too. I got that for my wife and she never wanted to ride it. She always wanted to ride one of my boys Bikes.

 

[FICHT 150]

Great bike and all, but, I noticed there was a monkey stuck in a cage in the last picture. Hope someone let him out for Christmas!

Ted

 

[Nashman]

Fully restored original Phantom just finished for a local Caber here in So Cal. I though since these bikes
"should not exist" * but they do, I would take it on a field trip to a place that should not exist, the Old LA Zoo.
The zoo was founded in 1912 eventually closing in 1965 and started off with just 12 animals, the first city funded Los Angeles zoo, tho there were 2 other zoos predating the LA zoo in the LA area.
The old zoo is open to all and is a great hiking spot with easy access and to the rest of Griffith park trails etc.
In the last pic we see an endangered 'Thumb sucking South Bay Lay About' as it was spotted in its enclosure.
We were advised not to stand to close as it might throw "things".
Here are some pix of this restored Blue Phantom that did not start out as an original paint blue Phantom, and is
loaded with more deluxe features that one original that is known, drum brake, NOS taillight, 3" deluxe reflector etc.
NOS Tires and a lot of time effort and expense to recreate the mythical bike. Always a head scratcher why so many
ladies models were cranked out and verrrrry few mens.
1st few pix are on location at the 1912 LA Zoo setting...


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You gotta mark this one SOLD so noone gets excited thinking it's still available!