I got this 1938 Schwinn Paramount, right at the tail end of 2022, but it took most of 2023 to complete the restoration.
No expense spared to bring this gem back from the dead.
Then, there was this 1973 Schwinn Sting-Ray Standard model, that was so reminiscent of the bike I had when I was 13 years old, that I couldn’t resist.
It was a local buy, and the seller was the original owner!
He bought it at Seversons Schwinn Cyclery in Chicago, and brought it with him, when he moved to California.
Nice!
Then, thanks to another local collector, there was this 1965 Murray, Astro Flite.
Fun bike to experience, but this one was bought/serviced/sold in 2023.
This 1940 Schwinn New World, was in such amazing original condition, that I also couldn’t resist.
It’s still waiting it’s turn in the service stand, so I haven’t ridden it yet.
But, I suspect it’ll be one of the stars of the line up.
About the same time that bike came into my life, this 1942 Victory model Schwinn popped up.
Very spartan, but a cool example of the sacrifices being made at that time period.
Then there was this debacle.
This bike was sold to me as being an 1896 Schwinn/World ladies model.
A lot of mistakes were made by all involved, but unfortunately, I ended up being the one left holding the bag.
It was a sketchy deal from the get go, so I should’ve known better, and deserve my own share of the blame on this one, for not doing my own due diligence on its provenance.
In the end, it only took me about five minutes, once I actually laid eyes on it, to determine that it was in fact, an 1895 Julius Andrae and Sons, The Andrae model.
Still a cool bike in its own right, but it’s just not what I thought I was getting.
The main reason I was so excited about the prospect of it being an 1896 Schwinn/World ladies model, was as a mate for this gem.
The 1898 Schwinn/World, model 22 Roadster.
This was the first bike I bought in 2023, and is still awaiting its turn in the service stand.
So, unfortunately, for now, I still have to use the pictures that Shawn took of the bike during his time of ownership.
Unfortunately, it’ll have to remain a bachelor for now, since it’s quest for a mate, didn’t quite work out as planned.
Now for the newest old bike to hit the road,
This beautiful original condition, 1939 Chicago model,
Schwinn Motorbike, was recently made available to me, and once again, I couldn’t resist.
If this was the only bike I acquired this year, it would’ve been a great year.
And now, for the one that still making its way here.
The 1958 Bianchi, Lario, tourist model.
It’s making its way from Barletta, Italy, so it may take awhile, but it should come in time, to still count for 2023.
It’s a model that I’ve always admired every since the first time I ever saw one, so once again, I just couldn’t resist the opportunity to finally experience one of my own.
Of course, there’s probably some that I’m forgetting, but those were my most significant acquisitions this year.
Just when you think your done, another one pops up, that tests your resistance.
That is why, when someone asks me what I’m looking for, I always say,
“ I’ll know it when I see it.”
See you next year!
