W F Holdsworth
Author: Clive Holmes-DowkesThe Frames
The Holdsworth post war years were full of ups
and downs. The immediate
years, from 1946-50 saw, the production of only three models. The
Cyclone-de-Luxe, topped the range, identified by its Gothic spear-head
lugs, with added elongated spear, along the top and down tube, at the
head tube and, the top tube at the seat cluster. It was available as a
Road frame or a Track model, at a price of £15.15.0 in 1949.
The
Cyclone model came next using the same lugs but without the addition of
the elongated spear. At £13.10.0 it soon became the most
popular
model, outselling the De-Luxe and, the third model, the La Quelda, a
lugless frame, introduced to answer the increasing demand for a welded
frame.During this period, parts and materials were difficult to obtain and changes were made to specifications dictated by availability. I have seen forks made with round-round, oval-round and, D-round with, cast fork crowns and, with Holdsworths own twin plate crowns. Frames were made from Renolds “531” tubing and had Stallard or Chater Lea ends. Finish for these frames was, any colour enamel or, lustres in gold, copper, bronze, silver, mauve, maroon, light or dark green, blue or grey. Flamboyants were also available in Ruby red, Helyett green, or Brilliant blue, all on a silver base.
If availability of parts proved the problem in the early post war years, the period from 1951-54 was hindered by the de-rationing of petrol and the cancelling of purchase tax, leading to increased sales and increased use of motor cycles and cars. This coming soon after the descition by Holdsworth, to increase their range to seven models, saw demand for cycles drop off.
Launched
at the cycle show in 1950 for the 51 season were, in addition
to the earlier three models, the Sirocco, Tornado, La Variable and,
Typhoon. Top of the range now, was the Sirocco. It came with new hand
cut lugs in a scroll design, more ornate than had previously been used
at a price of £17.17.0. The frame lasted just two years being
renamed the Whirlwind in 52 and dropped in 53 when a new Whirlwind was
launched. The Tornado was a Massed Start frame with
lugs
which had scrolls and windows and was priced at a pound cheaper than
the Cyclone-De-Luxe at £14.14.0. The La Variable
and the
Typhoon lay at the “Clubman” end of the range being
available as a complete cycle or as a frame. Price for La
Variable was £26.14.10. with Simplex Champion du Monde gears
and
the Typhoon £24.12.6. with single fixed.
The price
for frames only £10.17.6. and, £10.10.0.1950 Cyclone (with 55 headbadge)
1952 saw the introduction of the Zephyr and the dropping of the Cyclone-de-Luxe. The Zephyr lugs were the same as those on the earlier Cyclone with the addition of windows, frames were for Road Path use and cost £15.15.0. With the passing of the Cyclone- de-Luxe the Cyclone took on a simpler lug but was embellished by the addition of the long spear point used on the De-Luxe, but with a single window cut into it. The price now was £14.7.6. A ladies version was also available with a shorter top tube.
New for 1953, was the “new” Whirlwind. Gone were the scroll lugs originally used on the Sirocco, now we had an ornateness never before seen on a Holdsworth. Sandy Holdsworth personally endorsed the frame as “His pet”, this top of the range frame was still £17.17.0. A new Path frame was listed this year but only lasted for the one year. The Roi De Velo appears with little information other than it was lugged, had round fork blades and used Holdsworths own oval box crown, it cost £15.5.0. This was also the first year of the Hurricane, produced as an entry level complete cycle, not available as frame only.
Right: the new
Holdsworth Whirlwind head lugs
Left: Monsoon 1960
1954 saw the introduction of the Monsoon, this middle of the range frame costing £12.12.0, with scroll lugs, was to prove a success for Holdsworth and, stay in the range unaltered for 10 years. The frame was designed as a Massed start frame with 72° parallel angles. I believe and, it’s only my opinion, that the lugs used were part of the stock bought from F H Grubb in 1951 after they stopped trading. The lugs are almost identical to those used on the F H G Perfection Exquisite model offered by them in the late 50s.
1955 A watershed year for Holdsworth. The range consisted of :
Whirlwind @ £17.17.0.
Zephyr @ £14.14.0.
Cyclone
@ £14.7.6.Monsoon @ £12.12.0.
Typhoon @ £11.11.0. Right: Hurricane 1958 with Nervex Lugs
The Hurricane Cycle only available to five different specification depending on the equipment from £23.9.0. Most significant was the move towards Nervex lugs, only available on the Cyclone this year. All other models stayed as previous years, it leads the way. But, Holdsworth still embellished the lugs by adding the long spear point to the Nervex lug. Also new this year for the Monsoon, was the mention of Agrati ends, with Campagnolo self-centering ends available at extra cost. These had only been available on the Whirlwind during the previous year.
Things get a little fuzzy in the period from 1955-60. What I do know, is that trading became difficult at Holdsworth and the range was reduced to four frames by 1960. These were Cyclone, Zephyr, Monsoon and Hurricane. The Cyclone and Hurricane both had Nervex lugs while the Monsoon and the Zephyr retained theirs from previous years. Gone during this period were the Whirlwind and Typhoon
The People
For me this is a fascinating period in Holdsworths history. As a schoolboy cyclist I won winter Roller events and gained silver and bronze RTTA medals at 10 and 25-mile time trials on my pride and joy, a Holdsworth Monsoon. I rode with the South Eastern Road Club, fellow members being Lou Smith, manager of Holdsworths Beckenham branch, his wife Ann, both became directors of Holdsworths in later years and, BobDonnington who later married Leslie Smith and became a Holdsworth manager.
Holdsworth were a large producer of hand made quality frames, equally as good as any small volume builder. They employed frame builders and designers with the quality of Bill Rann, Bill Hurlow and Chas Roberts to name but a few so the quality was assured, we should not undervalue them.
The Head Badge and down tube transfer.
The changes in 1955 included a new head badge (left). Stamped from
a soft
alloy it continued the tradition of the prancing horse and the crossed
scimitars and was Gold/Blue/Red in colour but, with the addition of a
crown on top. This badge stayed with Holdsworth until the end becoming
a transfer in the late 70s. Prior to this the head badge used most
commonly was of pressed brass which was then enamelled in red and
black. However a very ornate badge has appeared on the top
models. It is evident from early catalogues that a crown shaped badge
which was made from brass appeared on the Sirocco and Whirlwind models.
This badge appears to have come in two forms, the first as described
above and the second with the addition of a scroll above the crown with
the frame model name stamped into it. So far, I have only
seen a
photograph of this rare badge, on a Cyclone-de-Luxe. With the
difficulties experienced immediately post war, with the supply of
materials, some frames were sent out, with transfers on the head tube
and I have heard of an early alloy badge but, as yet I have not seen
one. Two types of down tube transfer were used. Pre-war and, post-war up to 1955, a fancy block lettering was used. These transfers were easily identified, as the W.F. were placed one above the other preceding the Holdsworth (below). In 1955, Holdsworth changed to a fancy script style this style lasting till 1955.
For a comprehensive over view of Holdsworth from its beginnings in the 1920s I recommend Norman Kilgariff's Site at, http://homepage.ntlworld.com/nkilgariff/
Clive would like to hear from anyone with further information on the Holdsworth marque. His phone no. is 01227 374265. E-mail cwdsmd(at)clivesue.wanadoo.co.uk. Substitute @. for (at)
1947 HOLDSWORTH
CYCLONE
 1947 Holdsworth Cyclone frame
No. 8153 with first post-war lugs without spear extension
|
 Seat cluster on this frame with
sculpted seat stay eyes
|
 Bottom bracket cluster with
short spears
|
1949 HOLDSWORTH LA
QUELDA
 1949 holdsworth La Quelda frame
No. 11767 - note twin plate fork crown
|
 Lugless bottom bracket cleaned
and filed to perfection
|
 Seat cluster with sculpted seat
stay eyes, brake cable bridge and seat clip
|
1950 HOLDSWORTH CYCLONE
 |
 Images of
1950 Cyclone seen above
Left: Cyclone 'Gothic' spear
extension with 'window' - used late 1950-54Right: The same lugs used for the seat lug, note beautifully finished seat stays |
 |
1952 HOLDSWORTH TYPHOON
 |
 Three images of the 1952 Typhoon: Left: Seat stay eyes (also used on La Variable) Above: Complete machine frame no. 15094 Right: Head lugs and head badge - Typhoon on top tube |
 |
1952 HOLDSWORTH ZEPHYR
 1952 Holdsworth Zephyr frame No.
15948
Showing head lugs with windows and small 'Gothic' spears which were also used on Cyclone de Luxe but without window |
Close-up of seat lug cluster here with wrap-around seat stay eyes
|
1954 & 1958 HOLDSWORTH
TYPHOON
 Head lugs on 1954 Typhoon Frame
No. 17456
|
 Head lugs on
1958 Typhoon frame No. 25003
|
 1958 again
and Nervex lugs are being used, also correct headbadge
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1955 HOLDSWORTH CYCLONE
 |
 1955 Cyclone Frame No. 18144
Above: Close-up of 'new' Nervex lugs showing added spear with window. Left: head lugs and 'new' head badge |
 Above: The same machine this time
showing seat cluster, again with added spear with window and the
simplified seatstay eye
|
1960 HOLDSWORTH MONSOON
 |
 Above: Seat lug cluster with simpler seat stay eyes Left: 1960 Holdsworth Monsoon frame No. 27338 showing attractive scroll lugs plus 'Monsoon' on top tube |
 Above: Close-up of fish-tail lugs at
bottom bracket, also note oiler rather than grease nipple
|
For more information on Holdsworth see Hilary Stone's Classic Designs > W F Holdsworth - featuring the Whirlwind.