Originally Posted by
hobbyhorse
But it seems there are two distinct kinds:
(A)
* Metal headbadge
* Champion #4 tubing
* dark color on headtube / light everywhere else
* 'CENTURION' downtube decal all separate letters
Examples:
N3P5862
Yours (minus colors, which are different)
(B)
* Decal headbadge
* Tange 900 tubing
* light color on headtube / dark everywhere else
* 'UR' ligature on downtube graphic
Examples:
N3S9106 (not in this thread, and no pictures, but the Tange 900 is mentioned specifically)
N3S9133
N4B5201
It looks like they made the switch between P and S of '83 (around August?); maybe they started production for the new year's model, then made the cross-brand design (and tubing) changes shortly thereafter? That would also explain the relative rarity of the earlier type; they're '84 models with '83 styling.
@
Lascauxcaveman had previously
posted pages from a 1983 catalog for the Pro Tour and the Turbo. If he still has the full catalog, maybe he could verify if there was a 1983 Elite GT (and post the rest of the catalog too!).
The 1983 Pro Tour page looks like the same font as in 'A' above. The headbadge is a decal, but it is the same design as the stamped metal badge.