57 Schwinn Twins (Corvettes) - Patina or no ?

[LRAC]

It could have been 1956 or 1955 that we got those bikes. I was told a while back that it was a 1957 corvette so that's when I thought we must have got it.

This is the seat on it. I think it came with that seat. The markings on it aren't scuff marks or wear, I pulled the seat cover off tonight, (probably the first time it's been off in 66 years) what looks like marks is from the foam rubber seat cover padding where it stuck to the seat. It rubs off.

 

[GTs58]

Serial number N87806 - Looks like this one was built in November 1954.

View attachment 1429574

The serial number was stamped on the component on that date, and the frame was built sometime later. I usually average about 2 months from stamping to finish. The rear hub also has a date on it with month and year. That looks like a real clean piece and hardly used and it appears the tires are original too. Oh! and that seat is probably original. The very early ones used those seats.
Yours has the first year 1955 front Mayweg carrier and the early chain guard and those pieces were not used in 56 or later. No doubt that's a 1955 model.

 

[LRAC]

Looks pretty good, I would let the new owner do the detailing, sometimes good intentions go awry and you wouldn't want to do any unintentional damage.

Yeah, I know what you mean. I know that this bike was never hacked or molested. I don't even think any of the nuts and bolts have been disturbed since it came from the factory, except it looks like the left spring nut under the seat was replaced (with a square nut - pretty period correct it probably came from my Grandfather's stash out in the barn.) I'm pretty sure it has the original brake pads and I doubt if they were ever even adjusted.

 

[LRAC]

The serial number was stamped on the component on that date, and the frame was built sometime later. I usually average about 2 months from stamping to finish. The rear hub also has a date on it with month and year. That looks like a real clean piece and hardly used and it appears the tires are original too. Oh! and that seat is probably original too. The very early ones used those seats.
Yours has the first year 1955 front Mayweg carrier and the early chain guard and those pieces were not used in 56 or later. No doubt that's a 1955 model.

Yes the tires are original, I can attest to that. they still hold air and have decent tread on them and I haven't seen any cracks on them. (but I didn't examine closely)

 

[GTs58]

mid year 1954 catalog page.

 

[LRAC]

Wow yes that is the seat. And I can't tell for sure but it looks like the valve stem caps are like mine.

 

[hatz4katz]

I'm interested in buying the bike, if you're selling. Sent you a pm. (thanks, Gary for the heads up on this!)

 

[KevinBrick]

Here’s a great thread on the first year corvettes

Unique parts to the first-year 1954 Corvette | All Things Schwinn

Did a search and didn't see any specific or detailed threads on this yet, tho I know it's been parced here and there in various threads, would be nice to have all the info in one thread. I just picked up another '54/55 Vette, and what I thought were anomalies or swapped parts have appeared on...

thecabe.com

 

[Pedaltherapy]

Great color on that bike!

 

[Rivnut]

A real Gold Mine there. If it were mine and I had a mind to clean it up, I think a low pressure wash at the car wash would get the “aged dust” off of it.