Raleigh made everything from clunker to pro team, and the high end Raleighs are collectible (Professional, SBDU). Peugeot same, and PY10s and the like are collectible. Gitane and Bianchi are two other example of full range bike companies whose high end bikes are collectible.
Colango and bikes from similar boutique makers are, admittedly, higher valued as collectibles go. So maybe it depends on one's definition of "collectible". A collector-condition PY10 with all the original gold jewelry is probably a >$1,500 bike and appreciating, which meets my sense of the term.
Maybe that's worth a chat. What do we mean when we say a bike is "collectible"?
On Kleins, if there are older Klein models that are regularly selling for over $1,000 and that price is rising, then I'd call them at least somewhat collectible.
No doubt, most bike companies had a decent high end model or two, but I think if two guys are talking bikes and one says he has a Raleigh and the other a Colnago, who will automatically get the most ooohs and ahhhhs? I think that most guys with say $1000 to spend, would go with the Colnago instead of a top-of-the-line Raleigh. It just has the better reputation throughout their line.
Tell someone you have a Maserati they are automatically impressed, while the Beemer guy has to explain that his is not a 135. A Rolex gets instant recognition to, no explanation needed.
Not trying to be a snob, (a
nd all this is IMHO!
) but some things are just collectible due to their reputation and not dabbling in the low/mid end , while others who run the gamut from low to high end u
sually are not...