Hi everyone,

I'm sorry if you get a lot of threads like this, but I was wondering what you all thought of this:

https://orangecounty.craigslist.org/bik/291512328.html

You see, I'm pretty ignorant on classic and vintage bikes, but I thought that this might be a good deal...$35, plus the seller's location is in the city I inhabit (Garden Grove). I dunno...I thought maybe I might call and go see it in person

At $35 you can't go too far wrong, but that is not an uncommon price for a Schwinn Varsity.
It might be a little unusual to find one that old, but it doesn't really make it that much
more desirable. They aren't really all that much fun to ride. If you need a bike to do a short
Sunday afternoon ride, this will do. But if you are doing anything like 20 miles, this one will
wear you out.

Bob Hufford has done a lot of work putting Schwinn publications on line.
This for example is the dealer price list from 1965. You can see the Varsity was the
low end of the "Men's lightweight" category. The Paramount (at the very end of the
list) brought a great deal more.

https://www.geocities.com/sldbretail/1965/65rtlprc.html

If you want to learn about Schwinn's you will do well to spend some time on this
site. There are some good short articles here:
https://sheldonbrown.com/chicago-schwinns.html

And of course you can search bike forums!

But the bike is the super cool coppertone color and the Varsity only had that color for 1964-1966 model years. I have a girls model that I picked up for $7.00 and the color does look sharp. It also has downtube shifters, which for a Varsity, should give some additional style points.

If the varsity is ridable it is worth $35... don't expect to get rich flipping it, but it would be a reasonable bike to ride as long as you're not racing.

cool old schwinn, its worth $35 but not much more.Maybe $70 on ebay with good photoes and a well written add. If you wont to ride an old classic for a good price grab it. I grew up on schwinns and use them to compare other brands ride quolity. That color and that year I would take it if it was within 50 miles of lancaster , but I'm kind of wierd I love my 21 speed continental.

+1 on the color, very cool.

From the photo it appears to be a pretty small frame, so if you're considering buying it make sure it fits you.

Varsities can be made much more ridable by replacing the steel rims with alloy rims, replacing the heavy steel Ashtabula cranks with three-piece alloy cranks, and generally putting it on a diet with lighter stem, bars, seatpost, etc. Of course you're then spending a lot more on it than you'd ever get back if you sold it.

yes the wheels alone will make a much better ride. plus all the rest. Its a good way to get into the classic thing.

A Schwinn collector will go nuts over that bike, so don't be surprised if it's already gone. Coppertone+downtube shifters=very desirable in the classic Schwinn world. Now if was a VERY early model, look out. It's not worth it to guys on here because most of them are into higher end stuff, but this bike is a classic and in good condition. I sold a Collegiate Sport in Sierra brown in the same condition for $100, and it had nowhere near the coolness factor of this bike.,,,,BD

Hope the guy gets the $35 cause I'm about to list the women's twin (same color) on CL in my area for $25. I have to finish cleaning the chain and frame and polishing the wheels. Mine does not have the downtube shifters.
If you're in to Varsitys, I'd say go for it.

The Craig's listing is removed this morning, hopefully you got in on it, at least if it
is the right size.

I must admit I am a little biased against the Varsity because it took me 2 weeks
and 6 responders to sell a late 70's version for $45 in decent condition on CL in relatively
bike hungry Boston where a monthly subway pass costs $40.

Yeah, a late seventies wouldn't be all that special unless you find the exact right buyer. The earlier models had a bit more flair IIRC.,,,,BD