57 Schwinn something or another...

[Corsair13]

Great responses, thank you! The reflector bracket is home made...
I will have my hands on the bike tomorrow so more pictures to follow, and maybe some careful pai t reduction on tje chainguard to see if there is any markings underneathe the repaint. So far I am betting Spitfire

 

[Rivnut]

That curved fender bracket is as "stock Schwinn" as the come. If everything else, except for paint, is original then you need to be looking for a 57 middleweight with painted rims and the feather chainguard. When I look at the illustrations in the 57 brochure, the only bike that fits the description is a Hornet. But a Hornet was equipped with a rear rack and truss rods. And a detachable kickstand. ?????

 

[GTs58]

Here's Harpo's 58 Hornet sporting the built in kickstand. Unusual, so a 57 Spit or Hornet could have been built with one.

 

[GTs58]

That curved fender bracket is as "stock Schwinn" as the come. If everything else, except for paint, is original then you need to be looking for a 57 middleweight with painted rims and the feather chainguard. When I look at the illustrations in the 57 brochure, the only bike that fits the description is a Hornet. But a Hornet was equipped with a rear rack and truss rods. And a detachable kickstand. ?????

How could you miss the Spitfire?

 

[GTs58]

1957 Spitfire with built in stand.

1957 schwinn 26" mens spitfire. nice original | Sell - Trade: Complete Bicycles

original paint , it needs cleaned up, as found, front wheel has a dent in it, minor scraps here and there. 295. plus shipping

thecabe.com

 

[Rivnut]

Could a frame stamped in October of '57, have been used for a 1958 build?

 

[GTs58]

A serial stamped October 57 drop out very well could have been used to build a frame and bike for and in 1958. I've seen quite a few Schwinns that had late October serial dates that were the next year's model.
Schwinn stamped thousands of head tubes in December 1980 and many of those ended up being used on the 1981 Cruisers and many had build dates in April of 1981.

 

[Corsair13]

I DO suspect a 58 catalogue bike due to the unusual aspects, and the lack of references for 58 model year bikes

 

[Corsair13]

MYSTERY SOLVED....I stripped back the paint on the chainguard to reveal original red color and a very faint SPITFIRE!

 

[Rivnut]

Found this picture of a 58 Schwinn Spitfire. (Rear rack has been added.) Thought you might like to see another pretty original bike. Pretty sure the seat is 59 and later.

I think that 58 had this style seat

Two toned, rivets along the side, no Schwinn script S.