Classic & Vintage - Raleigh Grand Prix vs. Super Course?

Hey, had a question on these bikes. I have a Super Course from I believe 1984 (Its the Racing USA style Super Course). There is a similar model on ebay right now, (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7181863035&sspagename=ADME:B:AAQ:US:1) but it's a Grand Prix. What would the differences be between the two? I'm guessing components first (my Super Course has the Shimano components with the cool golden arrow on them), and the Grand Prix has Suntour.
Any help is appreciated. If nothing else, I thought the Grand Prix would make a good commuter bike.

Not sure what might have changed going into the 1980's, but in the '70's, the SuperCourse had Reynolds 531 (not butted) in the main tubes, and had slightly better components than the G.P. The G.P. had 20-30 tubing throughout.

Here is the sticker on my '84 Raleigh Gran Prix, which looks identical to the one in the auction. I bought it new and still ride it occasionally. Frame is fully chromed and painted over the chrome.

You've got incredible eyes friend. :) It seems that 1984 must have seen the tubing in the G.P. change, as the 1983 catalog specs it as 20-30 tubing. If this is the case, the tubing on the models, if different at all, is quite negligible. A comparison of componentry might reveal differences, but I don't have 1984 specs available. I would be quite happy with either of these models.

Dedhed's decal corroborates the 1984 ads, which state that both modsl use 555SL. However, I note on Dedhed's decal, that 555SL is only used for the main tubes, implying that the Grand Prix's stays and forks are hi-tensile steel. Perhaps the Super Course uses 555SL throughout? It hard to tell based on the ad pics, but I'd say the geometries are the same on both models. BTW, I believe Raleigh 555 to be re-badged Reynolds 501.

Dedhed's decal corroborates the 1984 ads, which state that both modsl use 555SL. However, I note on Dedhed's decal, that 555SL is only used for the main tubes, implying that the Grand Prix's stays and forks are hi-tensile steel. Perhaps the Super Course uses 555SL throughout? It hard to tell based on the ad pics, but I'd say the geometries are the same on both models. BTW, I believe Raleigh 555 to be re-badged Reynolds 501.

Picture doesn't show it well but label says "main tubes double butted, all tubes chrome moly"
this leads me to believe all tubes are 555 but the stays etc are not butted.

Picture doesn't show it well but label says "main tubes double butted, all tubes chrome moly"
this leads me to believe all tubes are 555 but the stays etc are not butted.

Thank-you for the clarification.

it's my understanding that with Reynolds tubing, each number means parts per...in terms of properties. like 5 parts of a certain material, 5 parts of another material, and 5 parts of yet another.

i recently picked up what is supposed to be a 1981 super course with 555 decal. the frame is black with a gold head tube panel. the headbadge says japan on the back, and it came with 27" Araya wheels, Sunshine hubs and Suntour ARX deraillers. i've had little luck in finding information, except that it's probably either japan or taiwan made. 3A02992 serial number with an N and R underneath. any ideas or knowledge on this? thanks.

i'm glad you told me about it being an 83, because i could find nothing about 81's. the forks have a circular graphic with the bird above an R stamped on each side each side of the top of the crown. the steerer is stamped tange as are the front dropouts. maybe tange-tf. there are no such markings on the rear dropouts. it came with some kind of weird suspension seatpost, but it looks like it might need a 26.2 post. is yours similar? i'm curious to ride this one. i also have an old grand prix that's fixed at this point and makes me smile.

what's left of the sticker on the seat tube on the 83? super course looks like it says Guaranteed built with Raleigh 555sl double-butted main tubes. Wasn't this the time period when Huffy owned the license for Raleigh but didn't really have anything to do with making them?