What are the rarest prewar ballooner bicycles

[Robertriley]

I'm just curious, what are the rarest prewar ballooner bicycles out there? How many do we think are out there? Add a picture please.

 

[Nickinator]

'38 Bluebirds

Only 21 known 1938 Bluebirds on Nick's registry- 15 complete with tanks, 6 bare frames or converted into Robins. Of the complete bikes, 3 are Deluxe models, 12 are Standard models.

Darcie

 

[Freqman1]

There are a bunch of 'rare' pre war bikes. unfortunately about 90% of those aren't worth a lot of money e.g. first year girls Huffman ballooner. The rare and desirable bikes are the ones most collectors know e.g. Blue Bird, Speedline, Aerocycle, etc.... V/r Shawn

 

[STRADALITE]

How about the Evinrude.

 

[catfish]

How many of these are there?

 

[Obi-Wan Schwinnobi]

I find some of these "rare" bikes are "rare" only because they were just fugly and nobody bought them back in the day....Evinrude cough cough... bowden .. cough gag.. ok I think I got it all out...I know last one is not prewar .. cough

 

[Nickinator]

not many at all from my count.

Nick.

How many of these are there?

 

[Joe Buffardi]

Rare Pre-War bicycle

1935 Elgin Gull

 

[Obi-Wan Schwinnobi]

This bike isn't prewar but how many true 1946 deluxe BA107s have you seen? Long time schwinn guy says he has seen maybe 3.... I'm with shawn... rare vs desirable/rare are two different things...

 

[rustjunkie]

How about the Alexander Rocket?
It could be called ugly as Jason sez, but I think it's beautiful, and there aren't many around...less than each of: Bluebird 1 & 2, Aerocycle, and Speedline?
I've never cared for the Aerocycle: I see a streamlined tank attached to an angular motorbike.
For me, CF is increased by rarity, not mass-appeal.