prototype Jaguar

[GTs58]

I haven't verified the SN but this one has the 55 seat tube decal and was said to be a 1955.

 

[bikemonkey]

I know this thread is 3 years old, but it deserves updating. The pictures show this bike pretty much as I bought it. The seat and the pedals have been replaced and the Rocket Ray is long gone, but otherwise it's pretty complete. The serial number dates it to Oct. 1953 and the Sturmey Archer hub (alloy) is dated "54 1", so that matches the bikes that @mrg posted. It also has the earlier style Weinmnn levers, and I'm still not sure when the style changed. I've seen them on the early middleweights and one as late as 1958 on a Roadmaster Flying Falcon, but AMF may have been using up old stock.
I've also included some pictures of a seat I picked up off of EBay. I'm guessing this has to be an "Airflow" saddle, made by Mesinger (thanks to @Freqman1 for noticing what I'd missed!). My understanding is that the balloon Jaguars used either the Airflow or the Faulhaber seat, like the one in this post by @bobcycles : https://thecabe.com/forum/threads/v...dle-balloon-54-jag-etc-150-00-shipped.108169/. Was the Faulhaber on the later (1955) Jaguars, or was this random?

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Oilit - that is a great Jag in so many ways! Congrats for sure!

And thanks for reviving this thread...excellent and interesting info.

 

[Oilit]

I would have to say that the Air-Flow was the intended saddle and there was a supply and demand, or better yet, a demand and supply issue for the Air-Flow saddles on the 54 Jaguar, so the other saddle (Troxel) was an appropriate substitute. It's somewhat obvious that Schwinn made a quick or late decision to produce the Jag and they came up short on the supply of the Air-Flows. I personally have seen more 1954 models and they had both types of saddles and just a few original 1955 models but can't say that I've seen many of the Air-Flow saddles being used on the 55 Jags. Here is another 54 with a Nov 13- 25/1953 SN.

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Thank you @GTs58, that was what I wanted to know. Shawn e-mailed me a copy of the '53 ad, and the fine print specifies the Airflow but if Mesinger had some problem producing that design then it would make sense for Schwinn to use a substitute. I have a red Jaguar with the Faulhaber or Troxel seat and the serial number dates to Aug. 1954 but the hub is dated "54 12", so it actually may have been a 1955 model. I haven't had the seat off to look for a name but it looks like the one that Bobcycles sold.
I believe there was a thread where somebody said there was a connection between Troxel and Faulhaber, does anyone know more about that?

 

[Oilit]

Oilit - that is a great Jag in so many ways! Congrats for sure!

And thanks for reviving this thread...excellent and interesting info.

I know what you mean, there's lots of good information on the CABE, the only problem (sometimes) is finding the right thread. For my part, I'll thank @mrg for noticing these bikes and starting this thread!

 

[mrg]

Oilit, that blue bike is cool, seems like most are red or green, I also have a black 53/4 Jag I was looking for better fenders for!

 

[Jim sciano]

I have a “54” as well. Serial number is C87481. 11/13-11/25. When I got it, it had the incorrect seat on it. I put a repop Troxel on it but would love to find something original. I have the original bars but wanted to keep my cruiser bars on it because I do ride it.

 

[Jim sciano]

Figured I would keep this thread going. I attached a photo out of a 1954 Schwinn Catalog. It might help with what the Jaguars originally came with. I find the color options kind of funny.

 

[mrg]

Wow!, I have only seen black, Opalescent red blue & green. where are those Opalescent Violet & Gold??, I gota have one of those!

 

[Jim sciano]

I don’t think those colors exist. On the bottom of the page it says that all specifications subject to change without notice.

 

[GTs58]

Crazy choice for paint. Never seen a dark red blue or green either. So they shot the Opal Red over the gold painted frames?

hzqw2l's old Jag now in Hawaii.