[Zee]

Hi :) I haven't posted in a longgg time.

I'm trying to find the manufacture date on a 2-speed automatic Schwinn Twinn I picked up for $20 the other day - all original except the tires and the paint. I finally got enough paint off the serial code (on the rear left dropout) to read it - C67170. The problem is that it seems the codes repeated once or twice in the 50's and 60's. Is there another way to tell how old it is? Oldroads (http://www.oldroads.com/sh_sn.asp) says maybe 1952, but The Cabe (http://thecabe.com/index.asp?F=SchwinnCodes3&D=Features) gives several years for it (and those are Chicago Schwinns only). It looks just like the two below, but blue:

http://i16.ebayimg.com/02/i/000/b5/d8/7c91_12.JPG
http://i9.ebayimg.com/04/i/000/b4/b9/8ee4_1.JPG

Possible clues:

Built in Chicago
2-speed Bendix automatic
26 x 1 3/4 tires
Blue and white Messenger seats
Dark bluegreen (sparkly) Schwinn hand grips
sticker on rear fender: Schwinn Megalloy by Lester

Can anyone help? Thanks :D

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[Rincewind8]

My friends and me bought one just like you describe (sparkly blue) as a wedding gift for another friend.
I think the seller said it was from '62 if I remember right.

You got a great deal!

Maybe try the classic and vintage forum. The people that post there might know from when or give you pointers on how to find out.

[TandemGeek]

Schwinn didn't start selling the "Twinn" until 1964. Prior to that they were called the Town & Country and there was also a low-cost lady-back model called the "Bicycle Built For Two". There were also the Paramount models, but that's a horse of a different color.


If I was a betting man I'd say there's another letter on that left drop-out that comes before the C -- perhaps a few mm to the left -- and if there is, then it's most likely a 1967, particularly if the original color was Sky Blue.

Here's a link to the consumer catalog for the '67 Schwinn Twinn:
http://www.geocities.com/sldbconsumer18/1967/67ccpg05b.jpg

This is the dealer information sheet with pricing, part numbers, etc.:
http://www.geocities.com/sldbdealer/1967/67dlct62.html

[Zee]

Great! Thanks for all the help. I think it may be the '67 (or thereabouts). I scored again yesterday and got an all-original green 1968 men's Schwinn Collegiate for $20 at a yard sale (original asking price was $30) :D The two bikes look very similar in style. (the men's bike is going on eBay once I get it shined up a bit hehe)