Fontan Mistral

[bikemonkey]

Here is one you don't see everyday

This particular model, which bears his name, does little to honor the incredible racing Frenchman, Victor Fontan. His circa 1920's career was based only in France where he was sponsored by the Elvish Bicycle Company...how cool is that?

There was a TDF race day that he would gladly have ridden this bike...read the wiki...not long but fascinating. Teaser...he was one of the only three people in history that were sanctioned to wear the Tour de France yellow jersey on the same day!

 

[juvela]

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Thanks very much for posting.

Have your researches turned up any ideas for the identity of the maker of this example?

Graphics on seat tube transfer are reminiscent of those of Roold.

Do not wish to assert an ID, it may be one avenue for you to explore...

Cannot be much earlier than about 1971, nor much later than ~1973.

There should be a date marking on the backside of the cycle's Simplex Prestige rear mech:

There may also be a date marking on the bicycle's SAMIR Saminox wheel rims.

If saddle a member of the Tron et Berthet family of products there may be a marking on the underside of the cantle plate.

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[juvela]

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Following a wee dram o' exploration was able to confirm that subject bicycle indeed and Elvish product.

Victor Fontan had ridden for the Elvish sponsored professional team 1928-30 and the company retained right to manufacture cycles with his name. Ofttimes they bore both the Elvish and Fontan names on the same machine.

This Elvish bike, dated by its owner as 1972, bears close similarities to our subject example. Frame done with same BOCAMA lug pattern and fork crown. Exhibits same seat stay treatment. Wears same "made in france" transfer. Note close similarity of head transfer to the Fontan one of the subject bike. Fittings similar as well: same Gourgaud headset, same NERVAR chainset, same Lyotard Nr. 36R pedals. Rear mech appears later than '72; if cycle really '72 then it must be a later replacement.

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The Elvish cycle company was founded by a Monsieur Grosnier who raced from 1913 to 1930. Grosnier and Fontan were both natives of Pau, a town in the far south of France near the Spanish border.

http://www.map-france.com/Pau-64000/road-map-Pau.html

Here are two images of Fontan from the 1928-30 period when he competed for the Elvish team:

https://forum.tontonvelo.com/download/file.php?id=114252&sid=0733050db030d14e72b0f6e26d84377f

https://forum.tontonvelo.com/download/file.php?id=114253&sid=0733050db030d14e72b0f6e26d84377f

The company reportedly closed in the 1980's; have not thus far been able to find a specific year. Latest examples of Elvish cycles found appear to date from mid-to-late 1970's.

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Here is a berceau circa 1950 marked as both Elvish and Fontan -

Thanks for reading!

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[OldSkipTooth]

The above machine is stunning, all those details.

 

[bikemonkey]

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Following a wee dram o' exploration was able to confirm that subject bicycle indeed and Elvish product.

Victor Fontan had ridden for the Elvish sponsored professional team 1928-30 and the company retained right to manufacture cycles with his name. Ofttimes they bore both the Elvish and Fontan names on the same machine.

This Elvish bike, dated by its owner as 1972, bears close similarities to our subject example. Frame done with same BOCAMA lug pattern and fork crown. Exhibits same seat stay treatment. Wears same "made in france" transfer. Note close similarity of head transfer to the Fontan one of the subject bike. Fittings similar as well: same Gourgaud headset, same NERVAR chainset, same Lyotard Nr. 36R pedals. Rear mech appears later than '72; if cycle really '72 then it must be a later replacement.

View attachment 1076896

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The Elvish cycle company was founded by a Monsieur Grosnier who raced from 1913 to 1930. Grosnier and Fontan were both natives of Pau, a town in the far south of France near the Spanish border.

http://www.map-france.com/Pau-64000/road-map-Pau.html

Here are two images of Fontan from the 1928-30 period when he competed for the Elvish team:

https://forum.tontonvelo.com/download/file.php?i.d.=114252&sid=0733050db030d14e72b0f6e26d84377f

https://forum.tontonvelo.com/download/file.php?i.d.=114253&sid=0733050db030d14e72b0f6e26d84377f

The company reportedly closed in the 1980's; have not thus far been able to find a specific year. Latest examples of Elvish cycles found appear to date from mid-to-late 1970's.

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Here is a berceau circa 1950 marked as both Elvish and Fontan -

View attachment 1076909

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View attachment 1076913

View attachment 1076914

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View attachment 1076918

Thanks for reading!

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I missed your reply - thank you for you time and effort in posting all of the info!. It is not mine but a CL bike and is still listed. I also went down the rabbit hole on Elvish, being a Tolkien fan (who isn't) and they did some crazy bikes...lug work just so ornate.

BTW - I always enjoy your responses...you are a huge asset to the CABE!

 

[juvela]

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Good to read information of interest.

As a student of Elvish/Fontan you might like to see this article.

It explains that the Elvish marque has its origins in Britain as an offshoot of BSA.

Or perhaps you have run into it already...

L'histoire oubliée de la manufacture de cycles "Elvish" à Pau - France Bleu

Le vélo à Pau, ce n'est pas que le tour de France. Après guerre et jusqu'aux années 80, les cycles Elvish étaient fabriqués à Pau, dans une usine entre la place Verdun et les halles. La concurrence et une aventure américaine ont provoqué la chute de la marque.

www.francebleu.fr

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