Andrew Gorman
Riding a '38 Autocycle Deluxe
Excellent point on a detailer- those guys can work magic.
When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Columbia Compax and Paratrooper “The Folding Bikes”
- Thread starter bicyclemed
- Start date
#eBayPartner Most Recent BUY IT NOW Items Listed on eBay
Mercian
Cruisin' on my Bluebird
Hi @bicyclemed
Welcome, and thanks for asking about your Compax. You already received a lot of good information whilst I was sleeping (-:
Thank you for the detailed photos. The only thing I'd have liked to have known is if it has a New Direction or Morrow rear hub (proabaly ND). The basket may have been dealer fitted from new, but is not part of the model specification.
Crunching the serial number comes up with a date of late September / early October 1946. It would have been a brand new bicycle, not Army Surplus despite the Paratrooper badge. Westfield were really pushing this model postwar for two or three years, and early 1946 changed the model name from Sports Traveller to Paratrooper to help sell it, using the photo of a Paramarine posing with the bicycle early war. The 'Paratrooper' marked badge is fairly rare.
It's a substantially correct 1946 Compax, showing all the correct features for a late 1946. The flared mudguards, the long chainguard in white, the Persons saddle (these are rare in good condition, they don't wear well), the kick stand, grip (do you hav the other?), the later chainwheel. The blue colour is also nice, and slightly less common than the red ones seen at this point.
Compax's continued to be made into 1947, and I've not seen one later than that yet.
I don't value bicycles, but the best thing you can do to improve the value of this one is a good cleaning and service, retaining as many original parts as possiblee. A full restoration would be costly and pointless.
This is the closest survivor I have noted, K214634 ( @Glenn Rhein ) made the same day or day before yours since it is only 110 serials before. Note that it has painted wheels (common to these bicycles). Yours has chrome, so may have been changed, but when I look at early 1947 examples, they too have chrome wheels, so it could be correct.
thecabe.com
This is the next later survivor known to yours, first week of 1947, L7866 of @Robertriley , which has chrome wheels (but a different style).
thecabe.com
Best Regards,
Adrian
Welcome, and thanks for asking about your Compax. You already received a lot of good information whilst I was sleeping (-:
Thank you for the detailed photos. The only thing I'd have liked to have known is if it has a New Direction or Morrow rear hub (proabaly ND). The basket may have been dealer fitted from new, but is not part of the model specification.
Crunching the serial number comes up with a date of late September / early October 1946. It would have been a brand new bicycle, not Army Surplus despite the Paratrooper badge. Westfield were really pushing this model postwar for two or three years, and early 1946 changed the model name from Sports Traveller to Paratrooper to help sell it, using the photo of a Paramarine posing with the bicycle early war. The 'Paratrooper' marked badge is fairly rare.
It's a substantially correct 1946 Compax, showing all the correct features for a late 1946. The flared mudguards, the long chainguard in white, the Persons saddle (these are rare in good condition, they don't wear well), the kick stand, grip (do you hav the other?), the later chainwheel. The blue colour is also nice, and slightly less common than the red ones seen at this point.
Compax's continued to be made into 1947, and I've not seen one later than that yet.
I don't value bicycles, but the best thing you can do to improve the value of this one is a good cleaning and service, retaining as many original parts as possiblee. A full restoration would be costly and pointless.
This is the closest survivor I have noted, K214634 ( @Glenn Rhein ) made the same day or day before yours since it is only 110 serials before. Note that it has painted wheels (common to these bicycles). Yours has chrome, so may have been changed, but when I look at early 1947 examples, they too have chrome wheels, so it could be correct.
Westfield paratrooper | Military Bicycles
I picked this up Sunday, can anyone tell me the year and some sort of value ? Thanks, glenn
thecabe.com
This is the next later survivor known to yours, first week of 1947, L7866 of @Robertriley , which has chrome wheels (but a different style).
Compax Paratrooper | Sell - Trade: Complete Bicycles
Time to move about 4 or 5 bikes. Here’s the first one, 1940’s Columbia Compax Paratrooper. This one is pretty original, good decals, seat and the hard to find bars. Rims will need to be trued and need a couple spokes. Otherwise, great bike. $549 plus the ride.
thecabe.com
Best Regards,
Adrian
Last edited:
bicyclemed
On Training Wheels
Hello Adrian @Mercian,
Thank you for your response and the wealth of information! This really helps with the decision-making process.
To answer some of your questions:
I appreciate you do not value bicycles and agree with yours and other recommendations surrounding cleaning and servicing. That said, is it ok to aggressively clean the chrome and remove as much rust as possible (i.e., brass brush, steel wool, metal polish, aluminum foil, etc.)? or do you suggest simply doing a light cleaning using some non-aggressive detergents?
As an outcome of this service, I am considering making this customer an offer for the bike to keep for myself. This is such a great conversational piece and I believe it would be a great addition to my shop for customers to see and talk about.
I just do not know what to offer her. I am seeing prices all over the place online from $250.00 all the way up to $2000.00.
I look forward to hearing from you again.
Thanks!
Joel
Thank you for your response and the wealth of information! This really helps with the decision-making process.
To answer some of your questions:
- The rear hub appears to be a New Departure Model D.
- The customer indicated the basked was added after the purchase.
- The one grip is missing. Any ideas where I can find a replacement?
I appreciate you do not value bicycles and agree with yours and other recommendations surrounding cleaning and servicing. That said, is it ok to aggressively clean the chrome and remove as much rust as possible (i.e., brass brush, steel wool, metal polish, aluminum foil, etc.)? or do you suggest simply doing a light cleaning using some non-aggressive detergents?
As an outcome of this service, I am considering making this customer an offer for the bike to keep for myself. This is such a great conversational piece and I believe it would be a great addition to my shop for customers to see and talk about.
I just do not know what to offer her. I am seeing prices all over the place online from $250.00 all the way up to $2000.00.
I look forward to hearing from you again.
Thanks!
Joel
NBHAA
National Bicycle History Archive of America
Hello...
NBHAA has all of the records on the COMPAX Paratrooper bicycles made by Westfield Manufacturing under the "Columbia" and "Westfield" brands. With the exception of about ten missing catalogues, we also have every Columbia bicycle brochure going back to 1877. Fact.
We were collecting these bicycles in the 1960s.
We still have our original NOS COMPAX Paratrooper bicycle shown in the 1980s in Cyclist magazine... and displayed at the Oakland Museum during 1999-2000. We've been doing this a while.
On the advice given by other sources in this thread (and please remember and credit where you hear this)...
• The basket on the bicycle in the photos is not original and definitely is an aftermarket accessory. It is almost impossible to adjust or fold the handlebars as intended on these models with a basket bolted and screwed on. One negates the other.
• The hub in question would be a postwar New Departure (not New Direction) hub.
• We already advised that restoration was both not needed and overly expensive.
• We already advised about cleaning. Consult a professional automotive detailer.
• Regarding the statement that none of these Columbia or Westfield COMPAX Paratrooper bicycles have been seen or made after 1947... this is wildly erroneous. These bicycles were made in both balloon tire and lightweight tire models well into the 1950s. We have seen plenty of them over the past 60 years or so and you don't need to take my word for it. Simply look in the 1950, 1951, 1952 and 1953 Columbia prestige catalogues and you will see COMPAX Paratrooper bicycles in the price lists and pictured in the catalogue. No idea where this "none after 1947" notion comes from.
• There were two different models of COMPAX Paratrooper each year: Lightweight and Balloon tire.
• Since there is ample evidence in our files about the COMPAX, I did not include information beyond 1953.
• NBHAA has all World War II bicycle information, specifications from the War Board, specifications and related information from Westfield Manufacturing. We were collecting this information regarding military applications of Columbia as of the 1960s. While we are not included in the present online DIY lists, we had this information since the 1960s when yours truly became a combat veteran.
• NBHAA has original ads and photos including soldiers jumping out of aircraft with COMPAX bicycles. We also have photos of Hollywood movie stars riding these bicycles in movies, on TV and in magazines.
Attaching original Columbia prestige dealer catalogue images for your reference. Hope this helps.
Leon Dixon
National Bicycle History Archive of America
NBHAA has all of the records on the COMPAX Paratrooper bicycles made by Westfield Manufacturing under the "Columbia" and "Westfield" brands. With the exception of about ten missing catalogues, we also have every Columbia bicycle brochure going back to 1877. Fact.
We were collecting these bicycles in the 1960s.
We still have our original NOS COMPAX Paratrooper bicycle shown in the 1980s in Cyclist magazine... and displayed at the Oakland Museum during 1999-2000. We've been doing this a while.
On the advice given by other sources in this thread (and please remember and credit where you hear this)...
• The basket on the bicycle in the photos is not original and definitely is an aftermarket accessory. It is almost impossible to adjust or fold the handlebars as intended on these models with a basket bolted and screwed on. One negates the other.
• The hub in question would be a postwar New Departure (not New Direction) hub.
• We already advised that restoration was both not needed and overly expensive.
• We already advised about cleaning. Consult a professional automotive detailer.
• Regarding the statement that none of these Columbia or Westfield COMPAX Paratrooper bicycles have been seen or made after 1947... this is wildly erroneous. These bicycles were made in both balloon tire and lightweight tire models well into the 1950s. We have seen plenty of them over the past 60 years or so and you don't need to take my word for it. Simply look in the 1950, 1951, 1952 and 1953 Columbia prestige catalogues and you will see COMPAX Paratrooper bicycles in the price lists and pictured in the catalogue. No idea where this "none after 1947" notion comes from.
• There were two different models of COMPAX Paratrooper each year: Lightweight and Balloon tire.
• Since there is ample evidence in our files about the COMPAX, I did not include information beyond 1953.
• NBHAA has all World War II bicycle information, specifications from the War Board, specifications and related information from Westfield Manufacturing. We were collecting this information regarding military applications of Columbia as of the 1960s. While we are not included in the present online DIY lists, we had this information since the 1960s when yours truly became a combat veteran.
• NBHAA has original ads and photos including soldiers jumping out of aircraft with COMPAX bicycles. We also have photos of Hollywood movie stars riding these bicycles in movies, on TV and in magazines.
Attaching original Columbia prestige dealer catalogue images for your reference. Hope this helps.
Leon Dixon
National Bicycle History Archive of America
Last edited:
wes holliday
Wore out three sets of tires already!
Hello Leon, If you can find a professional automotive detailer that sounds like the way to go.
The bike has a greater historic association than most bikes.
I show my bikes at AACA shows, and they judge based upon the vehicle apperance as it came out of the factory. So my bikes are all garage queens.
It just depends upon what you want to do with your bike. Your bike, your decision.
The bike has a greater historic association than most bikes.
I show my bikes at AACA shows, and they judge based upon the vehicle apperance as it came out of the factory. So my bikes are all garage queens.
It just depends upon what you want to do with your bike. Your bike, your decision.
HARPO
Cruisin' on my Bluebird
Here's mine...
thecabe.com
Sports COMPAX Traveler...Just Got It | General Discussion About Old Bicycles
I guess I'm on a roll this week. First the Schwinn Traveler, and now this! 😊 I've never had one of these, so of course when the opportunity arose to purchase this I jumped on it. I paid than I would have thought I would have, but I've never seen photos of one in this good a shape before. "Time...
thecabe.com
Freqman1
Riding a '37 Dayton Super Streamline
Are you saying you have your bikes judged by AACA judges? Unless they are bicycle collectors as well I've seen few car people who know squat about classic bikes.
Gully
I live for the CABE
Here is the one I got last month. Still in the 'as found' condition.
thecabe.com
Found one of these... | General Discussion About Old Bicycles
.... to mess around with. Needs cleaning/serviced, some tires and a few other odds and ends. Might keep the chainguard just because it adds some weight to the looks. Either you like these or you don't lol! Yea or nay?
thecabe.com
wes holliday
Wore out three sets of tires already!
Yes AACA has several classes for bikes, more vintage bikes at every show.
You just need to be a member to enter an AACA show.
So far my 1947 Monark has been shown in Charlotte NC. and Penn. with good results.
Next show is Hershey,Pa. Your missing out !
You just need to be a member to enter an AACA show.
So far my 1947 Monark has been shown in Charlotte NC. and Penn. with good results.
Next show is Hershey,Pa. Your missing out !
NBHAA
National Bicycle History Archive of America
Yes. I have been to hundreds of AACA shows over the years... for cars. But this all begs the question: how on earth would AACA know how to judge bicycles? And how would AACA know about that any particular vintage bicycle actually looked like when they came out of the factory?
Interesting that AACA offers bicycle judging in their car shows. Yes, I've missed the bicycles in the shows, but I have not missed a lot of the shows... been going for decades.
Interesting to know.
Leon Dixon
National Bicycle History Archive of America
(NBHAA.com)
Similar threads
-
- Locked
