one of the most sought after bicycles being worked on Bowden Spacelander

[49autocycledeluxe]

I could never own a bike that does not rust.

 

[BICYCLE HEAVEN]

Spacelander was the Bicycle of the Future, 1946-1960

Or so the say in all the hype of this failure. After trying to sell this crazy idea for 14 years a few hundred were finally made and sold. I grew up in the late 50's early 60's and I can say without a doubt that I and any of my friends would never be seen riding something like that.

Spacelander: Bowden's Futuristic Bicycle that Failed Badly

Benjamin Bowden designed the Spacelander bicycle for the 1946 exhibition “Britain Can Make It”. The streamlined design was initially called the Classic and was meant to represent the future of bicycle design.

www.bygonely.com

Benjamin Bowden - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Spacelander Mark II.

View attachment 1706467

The bike was not a failure and thats why they only made 522 you dont know the history . At the Bicycle Museum its the most looked at bicycle the bike most liked the best out of 6000 bikes even the PeeWee Herman bike . The bike museum of America has one and they will tell you its on the top of there list .The Carnegie Museum of Art has one as well The Spacelander Mark 2 is very kool but the Bowden was design in around 1942

 

[GTs58]

Back in the old Circus days people paid good money and stood in lines waiting to just look at the freaks of nature.

 

[49autocycledeluxe]

Back in the old Circus days people paid good money and stood in lines waiting to just look at the freaks of nature.

now they just need to go to the mall and see them for free.

 

[higgens]

I don’t think they are sought after by real balloon tire collectors they are supper beetles hands down the blue bird is king! Kinda like my girlfriends fun to look at in bed but you don’t want to be seen with em in the streets

 

[sworley]

Different strokes for different folks, guys. If we all liked the same stuff that would be boring. Coming here to bash or give your negative opinions on his interests are not constructive, though.

 

[49autocycledeluxe]

NO NEGATIVE VIBES MAN!

 

[GTs58]

I’ll give Craig a two thumbs up on the restoration of that busted up piece.

 

[BICYCLE HEAVEN]

The Blue bird is a great looking bike for certain and my favorites are the 1930 bikes and older .The post was just for people to see what a Bowden looks like taken apart, i wish I could post the videos I took while i worked on it but that I know of you cant post videos on this thread .I bought the bike from a very nice guy from MI weeks ago and while it was getting sent to me another man wanted to buy it and its a small world its going back to MI as the new owner will be driving to Pittsburgh to pick it up soon so someone likes it lol ,,,,,,it does not bother me at all that people dont like the looks of the Bowden there are many bikes i would not buy and not everyone is the same but I am one of those guys who like the history of bikes and all the styles.I would have never thought I would get into BMX bikes but once you know the history and why some and parts are better than others they are great bikes and the hunt for them is fun.I have the Bicycle Heaven museum and I try my best to find every type and style bike but you cant get them all they made millions.

 

[BICYCLE HEAVEN]

Nice transformation Craig!

-mike

Thank you