1939 Schwinn Superior Tourist - 23" Large Frame - 3 speed - Maroon

[GTs58]

I was always of the same understanding...plus that the earliest New Worlds were "C" serial numbers (these were the New Worlds with the rear-facing dropouts)....but then an early Superior track frame showed up on an auction site a couple of years ago with a D3007 serial number....the only non-B early Superior I have seen. Who knows....there is always something that pulls the rug out from 'certainty.'

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There are a few New Worlds with the B serials.

Thread 'Schwinn New World'

Mar 15, 2011

Can anyone tell me a year and value on this? Is this a lower model than the Paramount? Any info is appreciated.

• pelletman
• Replies: 3
• Forum: All Things Schwinn

 

[rennfaron]

I was always of the same understanding...plus that the earliest New Worlds were "C" serial numbers (these were the New Worlds with the rear-facing dropouts)....but then an early Superior track frame showed up on an auction site a couple of years ago with a D3007 serial number....the only non-B early Superior I have seen. Who knows....there is always something that pulls the rug out from 'certainty.'

I've got another prewar superior tourist I haven't even touched yet, and it has a C serial number. Looks like C1689. (pics from the listing/seller). Many incorrect parts.

 

[cyclingday]

The Paramount and Superior models were hand made at Wastyn Cycles, using an A prefix for the Paramount frames, and a B prefix for the Superior frames.
The New World models were assembly line made over at the Arnold, Schwinn & Co. facility.
The same Arnold, Schwinn & Co. serial numbering system was used on all the models being produced in that factory at that time.
1939 used A B C 1940 used D E F.
It was just coincidence that the C lined up perfectly with the third tier lightweight line, when the New World models were first being made.

The I over O = D 1940 frame.
Super strange, super odd?
Can’t explain that without a lot of suppositions?

 

[cyclingday]

Wastyns numbering system was completely separate from Schwinn’s numbering system.

So it is very strange to see Superior model frames with what looks to clearly be Schwinn’s numbering system?
Did Schwinn start manufacturing the Superior models at some point in 1940?
Inquiring minds want to know?
The New World and The Superior were not all that different in construction method, so it could be, that they decided to take on those frames themselves at some point?