Paramount "P" designations
 

What does the 'P' designation in the Schwinn Paramount line indicate? (ie. P-10 , P-12, P-14).

Thanks for the help.:)

Seriously?

Paramount.

Paramount
 

Well, yeah, seriously. Not so much the P, but the number following.
Type of frame geometry???

From Waterford Precision Cycles:

Paramounts grew to five models:

• P-10 - Deluxe Paramount - designed for non-competition road riding and included front and rear eyelets, 27 x 1 1/4" clincher tires and Weinmann center pull brakes. It usually came with Campagnolo Record components. You could order it with Campy side pulls and/or custom geometry as an option.
• P-11 - Paramount Tourist - designed for upright bars and recreational rides. It was available on a special order basis only. The ladies version was designated P61.
• P-12 - This was the old designator for the Paramount Racer - now becoming the P10.
• P-13 - Road Racing Paramount - designed for competition, this model came with tubulars and Campy sidepulls stock.
• P-14 - Track - Full Campy track components including wide flange hubs and tubular tired wheels.
• P-15 - Deluxe Paramount with 15 speeds (triple front chainrings). Start with the P-10 and add a wide gear range (generally a Shimano or Huret) long cage derailleur.

This is exactly what I was looking for. You've been a great help.

Oops. Sorry.

Paramount
 

That's OK. Sometimes even I don't kown what I'm thinking. Thanks for responding.

rmikkelsen provided a good explanation above and it generally fits the Paramounts built in the '70s. During the '60s they used many of the same designations, but there were differences (i.e. components, geometry, options, etc.). Take a look at Bob Hufford's online Schwinn notebook and scroll to the Paramount sections for each year. This helps to show the evolution of the "P-**" model numbering system. http://www.geocities.com/sldatabook/...6064.html#1960

I think they all came with Weinmann brakes and Campy was an option. My absolutely stock 71 P-13 came with Weinmann brakes. I changed them to Campy, but saved all the Weinmann stuff, of course.

Campy finally became standard on the P-13 in '78.

Thanks for clearing that up, Bob!