Vintage Iberia Bicycle

[Bicycle Museum of America]

Hello! I am trying to identify a bicycle for a patron of the museum. It is an "Iberia", which is what led me to post it in the International Bicycles section, though if this is incorrect feel free to move it. Any information would be helpful, thanks in advance!

 

[gkeep]

Looks like it could be a Dutch or English made bike. Is the rear hub a Sturmey Archer 3 speed? Most of these hubs have a date code stamped on them. There would be a number for the year and the month.

 

[Andrew Gorman]

From the name it would seem like it's Spanish or Portuguese, or made for those markets. Any makers names on the components and accessories? A Sturmey Archer hub should have a date, and if it is not a SA hub but looks like one, it's from after the AW patents ran out-1956? The critter on the chain guard looks like an Ibex.

 

[dnc1]

Hello,
@Andrew Gorman is correct on the origin of this roadster in the above post.

Iberia was one of the brands owned by BH (Bestegui Hermanos) of the Basque country in northern Spain . The BH company has produced bicycles (and weapons) since 1909. There are some historical facts and wonderful photos on their website. I would suggest contacting them with details of your bike and they may be able to really help you.
Here's a link:

https://www.bhbikes.com/en_GB/about/about-bh/since-1909

They are still producing bikes, mainly mountain and road bikes.

Try also searching for " BH Iberia bicicleta historia" online and you'll find lots of images of bikes similar to yours featuring that distinctive chain guard.
Here's another one from the 1950's, with a singlespeed, coaster brake hub.....

Some of the Mexico based Cabe members may have knowledge of these bicycles; BH still distributes bikes there.

Good luck.
Darren.

 

[Bicycle Museum of America]

Hello,
@Andrew Gorman is correct on the origin of this roadster in the above post.

Iberia was one of the brands owned by BH (Bestegui Hermanos) of the Basque country in northern Spain . The BH company has produced bicycles (and weapons) since 1909. There are some historical facts and wonderful photos on their website. I would suggest contacting them with details of your bike and they may be able to really help you.
Here's a link:

https://www.bhbikes.com/en_GB/about/about-bh/since-1909

They are still producing bikes, mainly mountain and road bikes.

Try also searching for " BH Iberia bicicleta historia" online and you'll find lots of images of bikes similar to yours featuring that distinctive chain guard.
Here's another one from the 1950's, with a singlespeed, coaster brake hub.....
View attachment 1391547

Some of the Mexico based Cabe members may have knowledge of these bicycles; BH still distributes bikes there.

Good luck.
Darren.

What a great response! Thank you to everyone for helping with this.

 

[juvela]

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BMA -

you might like to see this forum thread from last fall as well -

Need help identifying bicycle | General Discussion About Old Bicycles

Hi, this isn't an antique or rare bicycle but pretty unusual over here in Belgium. No head badge, just the frame number and the sticker that says Fort Sheridan, Illinois". Any idea? Thanks! Best, A.

thecabe.com

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