1956 Corvette

[soddruntlestuntle]

Though I didn't need another bike right now, I was still wanting another middleweight with a coaster brake, and this one happened to pop up on eBay at a very good price. Introducing the latest addition to my stable, the 1956 Corvette.

8/23/56 frame date. Made in USA Westwinds-- original? Bike came from Illinois. Would be curious if @GTs58 or any other Schwinn expert can tell me if those are the correct pedals (I know the rear reflector is not, it's only 1 1/2" instead of the factory 1 3/4"). Rear hub needs a rebuild, but otherwise it's tip-top. Nothing fancy, just a nice, clean example of a first generation middleweight.

 

[AS-1]

Made in USA Westwinds-- original?

No.

 

[soddruntlestuntle]

No.

Why so?

 

[AS-1]

Why so?

1956 Corvette was fitted with the Schwinn Tornado. Schwinn didn't introduce the Westwind until 1958. There is a lot of unfounded speculation on the development of the Westwind tire here on CABE and in other areas of the internet. I took the time to go through the process of researching the Westwind with the Patents and Trademarks office.

 

[soddruntlestuntle]

1956 Corvette was fitted with the Schwinn Tornado. Schwinn didn't introduce the Westwind until 1958. There is a lot of unfounded speculation on the development of the Westwind tire here on CABE and in other areas of the internet. I took the time to go through the process of researching the Westwind with the Patents and Trademarks office.

Thank you for that information, I didn't realize that the Westwind wasn't introduced until '58.

 

[Oilit]

I believe your pedals are right. The early Union pedals had bolt-on rubbers which it looks like yours have. Later they changed the rubber pieces so they clamped around the center shaft and were held in place by the outer steel straps. The early style aren't as robust and often get damaged, yours look straight. Clean bike!

 

[Oilit]

And I quit needing any more bikes 50 bikes ago, so don't feel bad!

 

[soddruntlestuntle]

1956 Corvette was fitted with the Schwinn Tornado. Schwinn didn't introduce the Westwind until 1958. There is a lot of unfounded speculation on the development of the Westwind tire here on CABE and in other areas of the internet. I took the time to go through the process of researching the Westwind with the Patents and Trademarks office.

Not to go off on a tangent here, but you got me wondering; I'm assuming the Tornado was introduced to coincide with the launch of the new middleweight line-up in 54-55? So did Schwinn continue to produce that tire once the Westwind went into production, or was the Tornado then discontinued? I'm curious because I don't know if I've ever seen a picture of that tire, let alone an original set for sale.

 

[AS-1]

Thank you for that information, I didn't realize that the Westwind wasn't introduced until '58.

The trademark was granted in 1957. To my knowledge, the very first written evidence of the Westwind came in 1958. I can find no evidence of its existence in the 1957 Reporter. For it to have been fitted on the 1958 middleweight models, it would have been produced at the end of 1957. If you have any other information or if you dispute my findings, PLEASE post it here.

 

[AS-1]

Not to go off on a tangent here, but you got me wondering; I'm assuming the Tornado was introduced to coincide with the launch of the new middleweight line-up in 54-55? So did Schwinn continue to produce that tire once the Westwind went into production, or was the Tornado then discontinued? I'm curious because I don't know if I've ever seen a picture of that tire, let alone an original set for sale.

There were no middleweight bikes in the 1954 Schwinn Dealer Catalog so there were no specifications written for them. Both the 1955 and 1956 Schwinn Dealer Catalogs, however, specify the Tornado tire in all of their middleweight offerings.