Originally Posted by
dangermousey
Possibly. Late 70s seems more likely to me. I'm not sure if it's original to the frame, but it was fitted with a Shimano 600 Arabesque BB when I received it; these were not available until 1978. The frame also had an early Dura Ace "System Compo Series" decal on the down tube, which I think would be unlikely on a frame from the 1980s - this is what led me to suggest early-mid 1970s. By 1980 the Carré atelier would have had been building some frames with Super Vitus 980, and the Super Vitus 971 decals also got an update at that time. Of course this doesn't preclude the possibility that the workshop continued to use 971 tubing and continued to use up a stock of older decals after 1980.
Any other Carré owners out there who can help with the timeline?
I think you are good on the dating. Frame still features the leaf and has a crown which has nothing on it. IM observations, a similar frame with a fleur de lis on the crown would be later. BC went with concave seat caps and a fleur de lis crown in the 80s. SV 971 was introduced in the late 70s, according to my sources.
FWIW, yours is one of his better bike shop frames. BC would build to a price point by leaving features off the frame. Yours has chrome socks, cutouts in the lugs. Next step up would have been chrome crown, HT lugs, and seat stay caps. Photo is of a similar frame with the "extra" chrome, but no cutouts. Frame was marked Abel Bourne on receipt.
And there is always the caveat. Just because it says B. Carré does not mean he personally built it.
BCarre DS by
L Travers, on Flickr