Classic and Vintage Bicycles: What's it Worth? Appraisals and Inquiries - 50?s spaceliner

First off, I apologize for the lack of pictures. The lady there threatened to take my camera if I took any pictures. She thought I was going to try to sell it before I bought it.

Ok, now to the story. I was at a greenhouse in this area looking at house plants, and I saw a chrome bike sitting back in the plants being used for decoration. I went and took a closer inspection of the bike and found it to be in remarkably good shape, plus I absolutely loved its looks. It was a Sears Spaceliner. I pulled out my camera to take a photo and the lady working there asked what I was doing. Instead of being smart and lying, I told her I'd love to buy that bike. She immediately jumped to conclusions and assumed I was going to sell it and that I was a horrible person. I don't really know what her problem was.

Anyway, on my way out a guy working there said that that lady wouldn't be there that weekend, but another manager would be (who was much nicer). He said to come back and try to buy it from her.

Anyway, I have no clue what to offer. I always try to buy something to where I can sell it if I have to and at least break even. I included a picture of a very similar bike in about the same condition. The one I'm looking at has a little bit of surface rust starting from them watering the plants all around it, but I'm good at polishing chrome as I've done more than my fair share of car wheels.

Anyway, I was thinking $100 is what I'll offer. All it needs from what I could tell is polished and lubed. Even the tires looked good and had air. Am I ripping myself off at this price? Like I say, just in case I come into a monetary crisis I'd like to be able to recoup my money on bikes that I buy. Thanks

Edit: I meant to type 60s not 50s. And I just realized that I overused the word 'anyway'

There will be another one along the road - Spaceliners (especially missing their horn tanks) are not that uncommon.

Oh, and tell the woman with the attitude problem to get stuffed.

-Kurt

True. That $100 would go a long way on my Alenax. Well maybe not, but I could at least get a few things.

True. That $100 would go a long way on my Alenax. Well maybe not, but I could at least get a few things.

Yep. Spaceliners aren't going anywhere, anytime soon.

If you have to put effort into acquiring that Spaceliner, make absolutely sure that you must have it - not that you want it just because you saw it and its kitchy C&V. This goes triple when it comes down to dealing with utter jerks - flip them off and put their C&V machine out of your mind unless you're hell bent and determined to see if they'll sell it.

-Kurt

Without the tank, if the bike is otherwise in good shape, I would think $50-perhaps $75 would be a decent price. They are not super rare (but they do have a cool factor) and seem to sell for prices that are all over the map.

Here is a little blurb about the designer who came up with it:

The bike is a Murray-built Sears Spaceliner. Designed by Viktor (http://www.viktorschreckengost.org/ThreeWorlds) Schreckengost (http://www.viktorschreckengost.org/ThreeWorlds), a famous designer of such various items as mid-century modern lawn furniture, the first mass-produced American dinnerware, the cab-over truck (!) and fine pottery, the Spaceliner was supposed to invoke the Space Age with it's swoopy lines, modernistic gas tank/headlight, and all-chrome frame.

Sadly, Schreckengost died on February 4, 2008, at the age of 101.

$600 more gets you one of these sweet machines! ;)

1948 ROADMASTER LUXURY LINER BICYCLE - $700 (Boston)

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Reply to: sale-xre99-1062490680@craigslist.org [Errors when replying to ads?]
Date: 2009-03-06, 12:00AM EST



$700 for direct sale..
I sell these on ebay for $825 each. In 1998 when they came out they were $3000 each. Like a Schwinn Phantom with springer front fork, headlight , taillight, brakelight, horn in the tank, coaster brakes and whitewall tires, These are truly deluxe bicycles. Pick up in Boston for $700 or I can ship Amtrak or Greyhound and you pay the freight and pick up at station. These are new in the factory boxes unopened and are identical to the 1948-1953 model. email for more info
Thousands of unused bicycle parts in stock for vintage bicycles and cruisers.

Cycleheimer, did you decide not to pursue the possible purchase of this machine?

-Kurt

http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii125/vincev_2008/1963searsspaceliner-1.jpg?t=1236571479

The bike is missing the most unique piece,the light and tank.this is what made them so popular or unpopular in 1963.Many were chrome frame and a few were in red.Offer the lady $50 if you want to be fair.I bought this almost mint one for $150.The one your looking at does have the optional "springer" front end.