Huffy found in Italy - PLEASE HELP

[Simone B.]

Hello, I'm italian and I own this Huffy Customliner Vintage Womens Bicycle. I would like to sell it here in Italy but I do not know the value, I ask you if you could please help me to estimate the right value from the other side of the globe. It is rebadged by T.A.Rick Bicycle Company (Buffalo, New York) with RICK stikers put over huffy on the horn tank. There is written "MARY LOU" on the central barrel but I do not know if it came with the bicycle. Chassis number starts with "7H"(is it 1957?), it is 8 characters long and the last one is a very clear sort of inverted "C". Tires are 26 x 1.50, but not original I suppose. Inside the tank there is a BURGESS 25c battery and I suppose it's the original one. There is a Cadet odometer but it does not work and I think it didn't came with the bicycle. Bicycle is generally in good conditions with still good brakes, I tested it myself for a minute. Sorry about any english mistake, I tried to do my best. Thanks if you could help me with price.

 

[Andrew Gorman]

Value is going to be determined by local demand. It's definitely different than Italian women's bikes! Mary Lou was probably the original owner. Get it greased up, pump up or replace the tires and ride it around to judge people's reaction to it. There must be some Italian bicycle message boards you could post it on. On German sites, there is always a lot of interest when American styled bikes show up. And your English is much better than my Italian!

 

[Freqman1]

If I were selling the bike at a swap here in the states I’d ask $100 and take any reasonable offer.

 

[Mercian]

Hello Simone, and Welcome. (-:

7H could be 1947 or 1957 depending on the position of the stamping. If it is on the bracket under the saddle, it is 1947, if it is on the rear dropout (where the rear wheel clamps to the frame) it is 1957. There is some explanation here:

Huffman/Huffy -

There seems to be little rhyme or reason to a lot of the early serial numbers seen on Huffman bicycles. An amazing amount of variety exists between numbers even on the same models such as the ’37 Firestone Fleetwood Supreme. The below examples are what are generally found. Notice some of these...

vintageamericanbicycles.com

As to value, that is difficult. As @Freqman1 says, in the US, it is not a very valuable bicycle, because it is a lady's bike (which have less demand), and it is not very collectable there.

However, in Europe, they are far less common, and the cost of importing one from the USA would be more than the bike was worth. So, although I don't know a price (I don't make bicycle valuations), $100 seems quite low for Europe.

Honestly, if you intend to sell, then it is best to use an internet auction site, that way it determines it's own value. If you are worried about it selling too low, put a sensible reserve price on it, or start it at your minimum price.

I hope that helps.

Good Luck,

Best Regards,

Adrian

 

[Simone B.]

Value is going to be determined by local demand. It's definitely different than Italian women's bikes! Mary Lou was probably the original owner. Get it greased up, pump up or replace the tires and ride it around to judge people's reaction to it. There must be some Italian bicycle message boards you could post it on. On German sites, there is always a lot of interest when American styled bikes show up. And your English is much better than my Italian!

Thanks

 

[Simone B.]

If I were selling the bike at a swap here in the states I’d ask $100 and take any reasonable offer.

Thanks

 

[Simone B.]

Hello Simone, and Welcome. (-:

7H could be 1947 or 1957 depending on the position of the stamping. If it is on the bracket under the saddle, it is 1947, if it is on the rear dropout (where the rear wheel clamps to the frame) it is 1957. There is some explanation here:

Huffman/Huffy -

There seems to be little rhyme or reason to a lot of the early serial numbers seen on Huffman bicycles. An amazing amount of variety exists between numbers even on the same models such as the ’37 Firestone Fleetwood Supreme. The below examples are what are generally found. Notice some of these...

vintageamericanbicycles.com

As to value, that is difficult. As @Freqman1 says, in the US, it is not a very valuable bicycle, because it is a lady's bike (which have less demand), and it is not very collectable there.

However, in Europe, they are far less common, and the cost of importing one from the USA would be more than the bike was worth. So, although I don't know a price (I don't make bicycle valuations), $100 seems quite low for Europe.

Honestly, if you intend to sell, then it is best to use an internet auction site, that way it determines it's own value. If you are worried about it selling too low, put a sensible reserve price on it, or start it at your minimum price.

I hope that helps.

Good Luck,

Best Regards,

Adrian

Thanks