Classic & Vintage - Holdsworth identification help?

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randomm
06-21-09, 03:04 PM
Hi all!

I purchased this Holdsworth frame some time ago but regardless going through Norman Kilgariff's brilliant Holdsworth site I have been unable to identify it.

The frame is lugged, built from straight gauge Reynolds 531. Painted black'ish with a faint metallic flake mixed in. No model name anywhere, just "Holdsworth" on the down tube and "W.F.Holdsworth" + logo on the head tube.

Could someone on these forums be of any help?

Photos attached below... Many thanks in advance!

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3327/3641278486_709c25f6b8.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3405/3641282970_c720647c25.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3367/3640470687_d4c1f52f07.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3316/3640466447_8a1808db47.jpg

Larger photos available through this link (http://www.flickr.com/photos/randomm/3641278486/).

unworthy1
06-21-09, 08:03 PM
little bit odd: the decal head badge is usually a mark of a later (early '80s) frame, but the font on the downtube looks like an older one, similar to my Super Mistral from late '60s/early '70s. The stamping on BB looks similar to another Holdsworth I have, but I wonder if there's any other proof it's a Holdsworth aside from the decals? Lugs don't seem typical (prugnat) nor does the seat stay cap (usually full-wrap or semi-wrap) but I'm not that familiar with the later stuff...the catalogs should tell you, though. Lastly, the 531 decal doesn't seem like a plain-gauge decal but it's impossible to tell with the blur.
randomm
06-22-09, 02:16 PM
The seat stays are semi-wrap, if that helps at all...

unworthy1
06-22-09, 02:37 PM
that's a good sign, what about the drop outs: forged Campagnolo? Is there a fork?
randomm
06-24-09, 04:54 AM
No fork I'm afraid and drops do not have any easily visible Campagnolo stamping.

Seat post that I'm currently using with it is 26.6mm, but I think a 26.8 or even thicker would suit fine... 26.6 is slightly loose.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2483/3650942234_6a2aca823a.jpg
nuovo_record
06-25-09, 06:29 AM
holdsworth usually have the model name in itallics along the top tube.
it looks quite similar to my nuovo record mmodel, but the frame number is way out. this frame was only produced for 1 year and i know of 3 (in the usa) and the frame numbers are all very close - within 100 numbers i beleive. - BUT none have the model name.
i would say that it dates from the early 80's
do yo uhave the orignal forks? as these will also have the same frame number stamped onto the steerer.

here's an old picture of mine to help. if you want some close up pctures to help, send me a pm. seatpost is 27.2mm