1959 Cavalier His/Her set

[tripple3]

Made in England, Sturmey Archer 3 speeds, hand brakes, 26 X 1.325 Allstate tires,...
I saw 1 of these tucked in the garage while shopping a "Yard Sale" in H.B. a few months ago. They told me they had bought a "Set" new at Pep Boys in 1959. The son took my number and sent me a text yesterday to see if I was still interested. So I rode a bike over and bought them.
Here are a few pics from yesterday. I haven't even brought them home yet.

These are the two pics he sent me to get me to come over.

So I think they are pretty cool and can't remember ever seeing his and her set of Cavalier Bikes show up to a cyclone coaster ride; so I'm looking forward to checking out how they ride....

 

[SirMike1983]

Very cool branding and decals. Check the rear hub shells for a month and year date. They do look 1950s or maybe transitional era BCC to me just from these pictures.

 

[Gasbag]

I think they might be re-branded Phillips. The fork crown, chain guard, fender stays, front fender tips all look to be Phillips manufactured. The brake calipers and levers might even be marked Phillips. In my opinion, the pre-1960s English bikes are of a much better build quality than the later TI - Raleigh conglomerates.

They should clean up and be good riders with minimal effort and cash outlay. Good score!

 

[SirMike1983]

I think they might be re-branded Phillips. The fork crown, chain guard, fender stays, front fender tips all look to be Phillips manufactured. The brake calipers and levers might even be marked Phillips. In my opinion, the pre-1960s English bikes are of a much better build quality than the later TI - Raleigh conglomerates.

They should clean up and be good riders with minimal effort and cash outlay. Good score!

I think that is a fair guess. BCC had Phillips, Norman, and Hercules among others by this time and it looks a lot like that sort. These brands quickly downgraded once merged with Raleigh, though there was a transitional period while the old stocks of parts were used up.

 

[T-Mar]

The moment I saw the UEK crankset, I thought 'private label brand' and the tire size does suggest that this is not an English brand but a bicycle made in England under contract for a USA company. Consequently, Calvalier may have been Pep Boys' private label brand for their English sourced bicycles during this period.

 

[Gasbag]

The moment I saw the UEK crankset, I thought 'private label brand' and the tire size does suggest that this is not an English brand but a bicycle made in England under contract for a USA company. Consequently, Calvalier may have been Pep Boys' private label brand for their English sourced bicycles during this period.

Agreed. My first thought was a comparison to the Chicago based Mead Ranger 3-speed which was built under contract at the Phillips factory. There are many similarities which also include the decal size and placements.

 

[tripple3]

Wow guys thanks so much for the help.
This is the first time I have posted in this section and the first time I've heard some of the terms you're already telling me that these bikes have.
I'm pretty excited I aired up the tires and wiped it down with a damp rag; dried it off and rode it no hands.

More pics soon

 

[tripple3]

The moment I saw the UEK crankset, I thought 'private label brand' and the tire size does suggest that this is not an English brand but a bicycle made in England under contract for a USA company. Consequently, Calvalier may have been Pep Boys' private label brand for their English sourced bicycles during this period.

What is UEK?

Now I will see if the girls bike is as nice.

 

[tripple3]

It's a little bit weird but I don't think the girls bike is quite as nice as the boys in this case.

More pics soon

 

[tripple3]

The boys rear hub has the year 60 and the girls is a 59

So do you think it's Phillips?
It doesn't look like any Raleigh frames I have had in the past.