Classic & Vintage - Flandria

I have come into posession of a Flandria. From what the bike shop tech told me he thinks that the bike was built in the 70's. It is just like new and is a pleasure to ride. When I got it there even was the original speedometer/odometer on the bars that still worked, The odometer showed that the bike had only been on the road for 80 miles. I wonder sometime if I should even be riding it or just looking at it.
Now for the question...Does anyone know if this bike was really manufactured in the 70's?...Flandria until recently stopped manufacturing 20 years ago so it is at the least 20 years old but the 70's?
It looks like it came right out of the show room.
Thanks....My name is Dave and I am new to the forum. This is my first post and I live in Williamsburg,Virginia...U.S.A.

70s looks about right, but where's the drive side picture?

Here is the drive train.

+1, everything looks typical, boom era, entry level, except for that rear derailleur. What is it?

Yep, 1970's Flandria - but in exceptional condition. Good find!

+2 1970s, entry level bike from the bike boom era.

+1, everything looks typical, boom era, entry level, except for that rear derailleur. What is it?

It is a Shimano SIS.

Yes, looks familiar. I bought one in about '72 to replace my Schwinn Varsity with something lighter and the Flandria was 30 lbs. or nearly 10 less than the Schwinn. AIRC the price new was about $80 from some guy selling them out of a big warehouse. The derailleurs were Simplex and it looks like that's still what's on the front on this one. Sold mine a few years later for $50.

Thanks everyone for for your help. I found it recently while taking some items to donate to the local thrift store for a childrens hospital. It was sitting in the front next to a pile of stuff that was in the process of being thrown into the back of a truck.I ran in and asked how much they wanted for that bike out front and they said $30.00.My hands started shaking as I had that much on me.I paid them for it then ran out and took it home as fast as I could.

I have come into posession of a Flandria. From what the bike shop tech told me he thinks that the bike was built in the 70's. It is just like new and is a pleasure to ride. When I got it there even was the original speedometer/odometer on the bars that still worked, The odometer showed that the bike had only been on the road for 80 miles.

The only kind of odometers they had in the 70's were mechanical gear drive things so I wouldn't believe the reading yours has. Great find though! The new Flandria has no connection with the old Flandria, which does have a pretty interesting history.

I vote ride it - it's not a museum piece and it'll be a great conversation starter.

+1, everything looks typical, boom era, entry level, except for that rear derailleur. What is it?
Looks like a modern low-end Shimano:

http://os2.dhs.org/~john/DCP_0170.jpg

Ok.....I just have had new tires put on the bike and now I am itching to change out the drop bars for the new ones.....with white tape. What do you think out there....Should I replace the bars with new ones or not.The ones that are on it now are comfortable but..........What would you do?

well, as it isn't some uber collectible rare bike I say go for it.
Do what it takes to make it comfortable for you to ride.

Marty

Danny had one back when we were 11. We used to get 3 on the bike, 1 on the seat, 1 pedaling, 1 on the handlebars. Brother still sports the leg scar from the final crash on the way to the store. Good times.

well, as it isn't some uber collectible rare bike I say go for it.
Do what it takes to make it comfortable for you to ride.

Marty

It may not be uber rare but it was the bike that my parents could never afford to buy me.
It is as enjoyable to me as my Pinarello.