1977 Schwinn Volare

[kostnerave]

Tim, Those are some beautiful bikes! Thank you for the added insight as to why Schwinn went to Panasonic for a Japanese version of the Paramount.

 

[Mr.RED]

Nothing better then Scwhinn bike porn.

 

[kostnerave]

Agreed!!!

 

[Wingslover]

Those lugs!!!

 

[Ernbar]

The Japanese built Schwinns ride SUPER smooth. They are a bit lighter than the Chicago built 10 spds. I have a 74 Le Tour and the frame was also made by Panasonic .

 

[Quakertownrich]

This is a grail bike for me, and I may have one in my hands shortly.

 

[jeffklim]

Impeccable example!

I don't think the serial number will give you any info other than an approximate time the frame was built. @Metacortex might be able to add some info on these.

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thank you appreciate it!

 

[Quakertownrich]

Snagged it! Had to drive out to JFK Airport, but it was worth it!

 

[Tim s]

Very nice, post more pics when you get a chance. Tim S

 

[Schwinn Sales West]

Beautiful bike! I have read that Schwinn told Panasonic to build a bike equal to the Paramount and the Volare is what they built. I have 2 of them that I bought about 5 years ago and I continue to look for them on eBay, CL and at the 4-5 bike shows that I attend each year. I haven’t ever seen them at the bike shows and rarely see them on eBay anymore. Considering that they were only made for two years IMHO I would call them rare. The blue bike is a Paramount and the other two are Volaries. Tim

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The Volare is a bike that was built by Panasonic (National Bicycles) just like the later to come PDG frame set program and the PDG model run. They made some very nice frame sets for Schwinn over the years.

However, one correction. Schwinn never asked a vendor to build something just like something else. Schwinn had a product management group. They spent night and day spec'ing every single nut, bolt, and frame tube of the bicycle, right down to the colors and decal graphic's. Nothing was ever left open to someone else's option. It was all "cost price" driven. They "spec built" the model to meet a "retail price point" and that is what drove the component level, and even the country of origin.

John