Bike Forums - Huffy Dragster

The Huffy Dragster (actually known as the Huffy Penguin) in '63 is touted as the first polo (musclebike) made. This was the creation of a gentleman by the name of Peter Mole who is known as the "father of the musclebike". It was said, that the Huffy Penguin was actually the first polo bike out into market...before the Schwinn Stingray.
Correct Huffy Penguins demand top dollar in the collectors market. This bike did not have an actual model name and received the name "penguin" due to its' black & white (tuxedo) color scheme.
On through the years, a variety of colors were added to this model and gained the name as the Huffy "Dragster". The Dragster version came as a single-speed with the three speed models being named as the Dragster III. In later years, Huffy came to the market during the '70s with a variation of the Dragster know as the Cheater Slick. Another very popular model with the collectors introduced in the mid 60s was called the Huffy "Rail". This bike was a conventional polo bike frame which was lengthened approximately 6" between the fork tube and the seat post tube. This gave the bike the image of an actual fuel rail dragsters found out on the drag strips around America. There were variations of the "Rail" to include single and multi-speed versions. Continuing through these years, Huffy came out with other variations on the 20" polo bike theme as well as polo bike versions in a 24" wheel size.
Athough Schwinn Stingrays were sold exclusively through authorized Schwinn dealers, Huffy and Murray produced bikes under their own names as well as bikes for other sales outlets such as department stores, hardware stores even tire stores and gas stations.
If you should choose to build a correct Huffy Penguin, you must be sure that you have a correct serial numbered frame. Beyond that you must seek out the correct parts used on the era Dragster you plan to replicate.
There are a few websites, Huffy History to name one, where information can be obtained as well as forums geared to the musclebike era. Many of the musclebike folks have complied information, literature and factory information that can be helpful in building a correctly restored bike of your choice.
Building a correct early Huffy (Penguin) can be a painstaking process, but very rewarding when the project is finished. Parts for older and low production bikes are hard to find and typically costly when purchased. Many original bikes surviving in unrestored, unmolested condition costing $50-$60 dollars when new, can reach prices of $600.00-$700.00 plus in todays collectors market with certain Schwinn musclebikes surpassing the $1000.00, even $2000.00 mark.
The value of an old bike is dependent upon its overall condition and it's" originality. One factor that is paramount to the established value of these bikes is original paint. Collectors and especially purists, value a bike on the presence of original paint and the condition of the original paint. Such things as scratches, how many and the location of scratches and overall worn paint will affect the bike's value. Some collectors will even frown upon paint touch-up repairs and may not even consider a bike that has been repainted. While the value of an original bike can be established by current market values, the prices on a fully restored and/or repainted bike can vary and it's actual value is established between the potential buyer and seller. Therefore, the value of a restored bike can vary quite a bit. You may research some websites, auction houses or the buy-sell columns of the appropriate forums to possibly obtain a general buy/sell price range for your bike.

If you enjoy old bikes, like tinkering and have a certain year, model or version in mind..go for it. Money invested in restorations are seldomly, if ever recuperated.
Whatever you choose...Good Luck