50's Columbia Newsboy Special.....

[IngoMike]

This one is up for sale locally, not 100% correct but pretty clean, nice fenders, HD wheels/spokes and the OG Arctic Gray paint are sucking me in......

 

[IngoMike]

Thoughts/Observations?

 

[MrColumbia]

If you click CABE HOME and then Research there is a section on Newsboys that has the catalog descriptions for every year.

My observations are not original paint, pedals or seat. Probably grips as well. Other than that in looks pretty good.

 

[ricobike]

The six spoke chainring dates it to a 70's model.

 

[Miq]

All of this info is courtesey of @MrColumbia 's wonderful article on Newsboys Specials. Thank you @MrColumbia for this resource!!

The bars are strange for a 70s bike. The 70s Newsboys all have box bars in the catalog descriptions. 73-75 have exceptionally tall box bars.

The 1972 has the 5 spoke mag chainring and older Rocket decal. In 76 it looses the middle bar.

In 1973 the 6 spoke chainring shows up in the catalog pics and it has the same chainguard decal (Rocket with forked fins at the rear). Also check out those white painted stripes at the front fork ends. Those look unique to 1973.

Looks like 1973 maybe. Radiant red paint is trying to peek out of the stays and rear fender cutout

 

[noverguy]

.

 

[ricobike]

Not sure if this is a Newsboy or not. Still looking for the right chain guard. I believe this is a 1956 model. This one had headlight holes in the front fender, and I am not sure, but don't think the Newsboy's had headlights. The light in the photo was added by me. I believe Columbia called this color Metalescent Pacific Blue. From my limited Columbia knowledge this may be what they called the model A-19 or A-29. If it had truss rods at one time they were missing when I got it. The hunt continues for a full circle chain guard in the right color blue. The tiny bracket that mounts the full circle style of chain guard is still present. You can see it in the photo under the C in Columbia.
View attachment 2148692

Newsboys all had the lower double bar curved like the Schwinn DX.

 

[noverguy]

Newsboys all had the lower double bar curved like the Schwinn DX.

Yep! You nailed it! Thank you!

 

[GTs58]

Newsboys all had the lower double bar curved like the Schwinn DX.

That description is totally misleading. A lower double bar would mean a typhoon with two lower bars. How about the lower top bar as the description?

 

[ricobike]

That description is totally misleading. A lower double bar would mean a typhoon with two lower bars. How about the lower top bar as the description?

That works. How about no straight bars at all