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Schwinn Starlet with rare Tornado tires

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Jay81

Riding a '38 Autocycle Deluxe
Picked up this Starlet over the weekend. Noticed it had "Schwinn Straight Side Tornado" tires, which I have never seen or heard of before.
Did some research and can't find much about the tires, other than they are an early S7 tire, and were used in '55-'56 and possibly early '57.
Really only posting this because of these tires, to help educate others like myself who have never heard of them.

Unfortunately, the rack and fender light are missing, along with the original grips and pedals. I asked if maybe the rack and/or light might be laying around somewhere, but the lady didn't think so. She said if she does find them, she'd give them to me. It belonged to her 94 year old aunt who she said saved everything. So maybe there's a chance lol.

The serial number is difficult to read, but looks like R40936.

Here's a few pics.

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Nice Starlet! I had a set of Schwinn Straight Side Tornado blackwall tires on a ladies Schwinn Tiger (1956) that I purchased from the original owner. They appeared to me to be the original tires to the bike, and they were pretty well trashed. They pretty much fell apart when I removed them from the rims. I had only seen the words "Straight Side" on tires for S-5/S-6 lightweight rims. Good luck with your search for the missing Starlet parts.
 
I had a set on a late 50's American,I remember them being original to the bike. Check the date code on yours
 
Very similar in appearance to the Schwinn S7 superior tire which is also hard to find in decent condition.. I might be wrong but I think they may have reproduced the 16” version for the Krate bike’s.. I just picked up a ladies 1955 corvette with the original tornado tires on it but they were both split and unrideable..
 
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Sweet! Very seldom do those tires show up! My 55 girls Corvette has one on the rear.

And that's a cool find with those tires since that's a 1957 model! Always wondered when those were replaced and the Westwind was first used, The serial must be B40936 early 1957. The 55-56 models were ballooners.
 
has anyone seen a 20in straight side typhoon tire? I just bought a stingray and it was used on the s7 front wheel. I haven't heard or seen them before.
 
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