Schwinn Le Tour Luxe USA made 1983?

[Tour De Luxe]

Now, a really interesting thing on this particular Le Tour Luxe is that the headbadge 0824 indicates March 23, 1984 (82nd day) final assembly date. But, the bottom bracket S/N SD4xxxx would indicate the bike was an April 1984 assembly.

 

[Tour De Luxe]

Scooter, I was doing a bit more research and bikehistory.org has page on the Le Tour series based on catalog information. Prior to 1979, the catalogs state the Le Tour bikes are imported. In 1979, the catalog states it is now made in Chicago with 1020 torch brazed frames. The 1983 was the first year with the Cro-Moly frame and the last year with stem mount shifters. I’m speculating that your bike was likely made in the Greenville factory one year before mine. My reasoning is the tubing assembly process for the 1020 and the 4130 is different. I can’t imagine they would start a new process in Chicago for one year and then move it to Greenville, but who knows. At any rate, I think the bike you have was USA made.

 

[Tour De Luxe]

Here is a really interesting history on Schwinn. Perhaps already on The Cabe. https://drloihjournal.blogspot.com/2017/11/history-of-chicagos-schwinn-and-company-bicycles.html

Greenville opened in 1981 according to this history and the Chicago factory closed down in 1983.

 

[Scooter2U]

Here is a really interesting history on Schwinn. Perhaps already on The Cabe. https://drloihjournal.blogspot.com/2017/11/history-of-chicagos-schwinn-and-company-bicycles.html

Greenville opened in 1981 according to this history and the Chicago factory closed down in 1983.

Super interesting story, thanks for sharing!