adamhenning12

Hello,

I have just purchased a very rare Schwinn Paramount manufactured in 1952. I purchased it from the family who originally bought it brand new and it is in very good condition and untampered with. They did not know the value nor do I know the value. I was hoping for some general information and pricing of this particular bike. The serial number is f72156.

Thanks guys!

-Adam H

rm -rf

Your photos look like an early 1970s bike. I see that "F" and a 5-digit number are 1952, but the bike's components aren't that old.

Interesting. I've never seen a Paramount with stem shifters, or the double "suicide" brake levers.

exxongraftek

According to the Waterford site, the frame was made in June 1972 and the parts I can see tend to agree with that date. A chain-side picture will help.
You can also look for a date on the top of the rear gear changer, if it is Campagnolo it might say "Patent 72" (or a different number).

This does not mean it is not valuable or rare, just not as old as presented.

Herewith, the quote (emphasis mine)

"Capacity Added for the Boom Years
Month Code: This one letter code corresponds to the month with A=January, B=Febuary and so on. Because I is not used, September=J and December=M.
Year Code: This two digit code is the last two digits of the year – 86 is 1986.
Sequence Number: This two digit number represents the nth frame and/or fork scheduled during the month. During the peak of the bike boom, Schwinn would add another digit, sometimes producing as many as 500 frames a month."

exxongraftek

Schwinn did a lot of "interesting" things with stem shifters and "safety" brake levers.

Kactus

You have a 1972, not 1952, Paramount P-15. It was the 156th frame built in June of '72, so it's not very rare but it is very collectable and desirable. Schwinn made thousands of Paramounts during the early 1970's but it is tough to find one in excellent condition.

Yours appears to be in excellent and all original condition. As it sits, I'd value it at $800 - $1000 depending where you live and where you market it (eBay, Craigs List, etc.).

Bandera

Yep, 72 P-10.
Those were available as an OEM options when ordering a P-10 and someone specified them on the build sheet.

Not common w/ our customers but "have it your way" when plunking down the $$$ and waiting for months.....

-Bandera

repechage

We should charge for this kind of help.

Kactus

It looks like a triple chainring and long cage RD to me.

Bandera

If so it's a P-15.
Same process for ordering from the factory in '72.

edit: Good catch, thanks for the correction.

-Bandera

Metacortex

+1, nailed it. I agree with everything above including the value.

adamhenning12

I am looking to sell this and before posting it on ebay I would like to give you all first pick since you have been so nice as to help me out with identifying its age, value etc... I very much appreciate the infomation. If you are interested please feel free to respond here via a message or feel free to contact me directly at 407 739 3068.

Sincerely,

Adam H