Classic & Vintage - Stella

Found an old Stella. I looked at CR but there wasn't a lot of information so I'll ask here. It has simplex deraillers, Nervar crank (cottered), Normandy hubs and Rigida rims and Weinman vanquer center pulls. Does this have any collector value? It doesn't look like a bad bike but I can't find anything in regards to the tubing or a model name or number anywhere. Although it says "Made in France" EVERYWHERE, as if it wasn't obvious. Anyway I'm interested in the collector value of this bike or should I rehab it and give it away? Also, and this is a big question for me. It has a leather saddle that is marked BIM 39 Made in France. Is this saddle any good? Is it on par with Ideale or Brooks? I've been itching for a leather saddle for a long time to see what all the fuss is about.

BIM? not heard of it, I thought Stellas used Ideal saddles.
The brand is well respected french marque.
Check out http://search.bikelist.org/ and do a search on Stella
(Be sure to search classicrendevous only otherwise gets unmanageable).
You will probably get way more info there.
Me, I'd keep it, or give it to Deebo he wanted a free bike!

Marty

I had a 26" frame Stella in the '70's - same equipment you described. It was on par with the Raleigh Grand Prix, Motobecanes and Nashikis of the day, but, of course, I thought much better. That bike was the start of my serious riding and parts swapping and by the time I gave up the frame in '76, I had all alloy parts, side pull brakes, dura-ace hubs, 1" clincher tires, etc.. Still a bit heavy because of the steel frame, but quite a hot bike! Royal blue with gold lug trimmings and the distinctive, sloping "Stella" lettering on the down tube. Keep it and have fun!

It's pretty tall for me. I think I'm going to call it a winter project to get it all greased and shiny. Then maybe I'll look for a tall person that wants a quality, albeit old, bicycle. A shame because I already had a spot in the stable for it. I have an old fixed Raleigh (Monty) a Cannondale cyclocross (Orangey) an old Lotus ($Zero) an MTB Miyata (Dirtbag) and this was going to be christened "Frenchy"...<sigh>

SHHHH! Lotek, you're going to blow my cover! Besides, Deebo only rides SS beach cruisers while wearing white socks and adidas slippers.

I've got a Stella like you described. I bought it new in 1975 and paid about $200 for it. I rode it on Bikecentennial in '76. Mine is blue, has Mavic rims with high flange Normandy hubs, Nervar-Sport cranks, Weinmann 810 center-pull brakes and a long Pivo gooseneck stem. It came with a Bim #39 leather saddle which I still have but don't use anymore. I still ride the bike some; I'd guess it has about 30,000 miles on it.

I've got a Stella like you described. I bought it new in 1975 and paid about $200 for it. I rode it on Bikecentennial in '76. Mine is blue, has Mavic rims with high flange Normandy hubs, Nervar-Sport cranks, Weinmann 810 center-pull brakes and a long Pivo gooseneck stem. It came with a Bim #39 leather saddle which I still have but don't use anymore. I still ride the bike some; I'd guess it has about 30,000 miles on it.
Larry A: I rode BC'76, also. When did you ride...what direction...with a, or what, group, etc.????? I remember a funky cat named Larry with a group "The Cosmic Cogs" riding west to east between May and July, but I don't think he had a Stella. We had a steak and trout cook out with them and some tourists in a Winnebego, near Little Big Horne. Great bunch of riders and lots of fun.

I bought a Stella in 1975 or so, well used, for $100.
Laced up some Mavics, built up the rear cluster. Rode Summer of 1977 Washington state to Wash DC.
Had the time of my life. Bike was a joy to ride, some Campy parts, and I still have it today.