vanttila

Hi there,

I'd like more information and an estimate of what this gem is worth, if possible:
My neighbor asked me to sell his old Gazelle Sport Model, but it's awfully hard to find anything about them. I know they made them 1938-'43 or so (name was changed to Robin Hood in '43) and the Sturmey Archer 3-speed trigger shifter has a patent from 1939. I found a Gazelle catalogue from 1938, and the images there resemble my bicycle very closely.
I've figured out that the rear hub (The Sturmey Archer rear hub, AW 61), and the seat (Mesinger Bethel Conn., Scwinn approved) were replaced and the bike painted in approx. 1961, but everything else is original. My neighbor, who bought the bike, said it was in that shape when he bought it and he's done no replacements on it since.
So, my conclusion is that the bike is pre-WWII with the back wheel/hub, the seat, and the paint job from around 1961. Am I right?

More helpful info:
Decals with words "Sports Model," "Made in England," "Gazelle" in gold print. Other decals that say "Guaranteed English Lightweight" "High tensile steel tubing." The front badge says "The Gazelle, Nottingham England,"
The serial number is 88056 OL, located on the seat tube. This doesn't match the Raleigh numbering system and so cannot be dated based on that.
It has 26" wheels (not 27!).
Nowhere on the bicycle does it say "Raleigh," it may be a Gazelle brand bike for all I know. I know Gazelle and Raleigh had some kind of a partnership at the time.

I'm not sure what the forum policy is on posting links (forgive me if I'm not allowed), but here's someone else's post on a similar bike, that might help.
https://thecabe.com/vbulletin/showthr...gh-The-Gazelle

Here are some pictures:

















So, if you know anything about this bike, have thoughts, comments, pricing estimates or any other useful info, please do fill in. Every bit is appreciated!

Thanks a lot

PatTheSlat 

This is a rebadged Raleigh Sports (with a different fork), probably a 1961 model. These bikes were made essentially unchanged for many, many years, hence why it looks so similar to bikes in the 1938 catalog.

vanttila

Thanks a bunch, Raleigh Sports certainly looks the same. Do you have any idea of what the bike might go for?