Classic and Vintage Bicycles: What's it Worth? Appraisals and Inquiries - need info on Coumbia 3 speeds

My neighbor has a 1970's Columbia 3 speed in perfect condition. She said she road it no more than 3 times (she's very old now) back in the day. Fenders, Dia-compe breaks, i'm guessing 26" wheels. I figured the tires would have dry rot, but there was no signs what so ever. The only thing that turned me off about the bike was the one piece crank.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/CfdFighting17/DSCN0852.jpg

This is about exactly how the bike looks, but in a red color and on the chain guard it just says 3 Speed.

Also, something I really got a kick out of being from Massachusetts, the badge says made in Westfield, MA on it. Nice.

I could probably get the bike for $30 or less. Is it worth cleaning it up and then throwing it up on CL? What do you think these things fetch in original condition?

Thanks!

Those Columbias are really low end. Around here, you probably could get $75 out of it in ready to ride condition. But most of your profit would go into servicing it and parts.

May be able to do better in a really hot market.

Yep, lower end 3 spd bikes,, but if you are just looking for a cheaper city bike to ride, they are good enough for that. In good condition, they will sell for $75-$100, here, which has a strong market for bikes.

Okay, thanks for all the input! If i can get it on the cheap (less than $30), I wouldn't mind cleaning it and bringing it back to life as a fun project.

Is there anywhere I could find the year of this, or some sort of Columbia catalog?

Thanks!

The rear hub , Sturmey-Archer, would have a 2 digit stamp on it, which corresponds to the year. 72===1972.