1930 Rudge Whitworth
 

Hey all,

The non-profit that I work for has been holding an old 1930 Rudge Whitworth for a few months now and we've decided we're going to try and sell it.

Any idea on the pricing? It is in really nice condition and one of our volunteers spent considerable man hours going over it to remove most of the rust. Other than the tires, I think it might be close to 100% original?

The bike is fully functional and rideable. Hubs have fresh bearings and grease. Seat tube decal reads "Assembled in the Irish Free State".

With a bike like this, it's always hard to gauge the value. I've checked comps on eBay and there is a 1918 Rudge Whitworth with an asking price of $2500 and a 1961 Rudge Sports 3 speed asking $1499 and that's about it.

Let me know if there is any particular photos you'd need to help ID it. I don't know if anyone at our shop has checked the bottom of the BB for a number, but I'll check on that first.

Thanks in advance.


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i'm wondering if your stated pricing is for a men's frame, ladies frames are just not as valuable.

Good point, Gary, we will probably have to take that into consideration.

I love the decal "Assembled in Irish Free State".

That’s a cool bike and really nicely preserved, but I don’t imagine it’s as sought after by collectors than earlier 20C Rudges. I think your non-profit should donate it to a museum, but if you were to sell it, I’d be shocked if you got more than $500 and that would likely take a long time until you find the right collector. Those other asking prices are meaningless. It’s only actual sales prices that count.

I saw a few others on ebay, listed around 4-600. Obviously those are not sold, but Buy it Now prices.

Most importantly, there was one that sold in the UK for about $380 US and that was auction and a ladies frame. I'd compare closer to that one and see what you guys might consider for it.

Also depends on what your goal is, if you want maximum dollars or a quick sale to get some extra funds.

I'm usually not selling stuff this old, but given what I've just laid out, I'd probably try listing it for 4-500 locally, if you are in the SF bay, that's one of the better markets. If you don't get any bites after a week drop it 50, then repeat. It will sell, a rideable fully functioning bike this old is super cool. If I saw an ad for one around 200 I'd be considering it, but I'm also on the cheap side.

It probably would have had a chain guard, or possibly a full chain case. Here's a completed listing of a ladies' model, claimed to be pre-war, went for the equivalent for a shade under $400 - https://www.ebay.com/itm/203311086473

Missing chain case is a value brake.

this was a Rudge when they were still independent. I like the Coventry notation AND the assembled in the Irish Free State
must have been a tariff / tax angle there.

Not sure it had a chain case looks to have mount points fro fenders and pump yet I'm not seeing any mount points for chain. Still a great old school large step though I would consider more a preachers frame men's step than a ladies bike has a tone of character. I would say $500 or so US in major market. As for the OP's hopes I'm just not seeing $2500 for vintage 3speeds any age any make model anywhere with a few rare exceptions they seem to top out at $500-800 for top end 30's models in exceptional original condition.

Hey All,

Thanks for all the comments and information, it is very helpful to us!
We are fortunate in that we are not in any hurry to sell our bikes and it is understood that this one will take finding just the right buyer. We will adjust our price down and wait and continue to adjust as needed.
All very helpful and useful! Cheers.