Holdsworth La Quelda - 1949
Owned by:- Richard Hoddinott
How it was acquired:- A telephonic tip-off from a gentleman in the North of England drew my attention to this cycle in near-by Swindon. Bought from the son of the original owner who was originally in the Merchant Navy. The latter had kept it hanging in the garage all his life, it came for sale upon his death.
The Features that make it special:- This is a completely original time-warp machine, note the undisturbed handle-bar tape! There is no rust on the frame surely a tribute the rust preventing “Bonderised” process, note the small gold transfer (image below).
 |
 |
Few frames survive with all their original finish and this Holdsworth is a real treat, the choice of the original colour is very good, Oxford blue and chrome. Good clear tranfers and head-badge. Fitted with rare 5-speed Osgear and Simplex lever front changer (image below), it changes perfectly.
Gnutti double chainset, Holdsworth “Allez” alloy pedals, Brooks B17 Champion narrow with period oval trade-mark. Holdsworth fancy-lugged steel stem and desirable (but my favourite hate) “South of France” bars, they are narrow and perfect if you have a narrow 28” chest (images below). CLB brakes, Harden large-flange front hub and Bayliss & Wiley unit-hub rear hub matched to 27” Constrictor Asp hollow rims. Note also the then fashionable oversize top tube, a very useful improvement as it makes the frame stronger.
