Identifying a Holdsworth frame [1939 Holdsworth La Variable]

Hi guys,

I'm about to get hold of this beautiful frame (from LFGSS): http://www.lfgss.com/conversations/253591/

and was of course wondering which frame model it was and when was it built.
I don't have it yet with me, but as soon as I'll have it in my hands I'll clean it up and post cleared pictures.

I went thru http://www.nkilgariff.com/ website but with no luck so far.
Google around but didn't find that head sticker or lugs

Anyone can help shed more light into it?

Re:

Hello. I would say that this is not a Holdsworth! The lugs do not look familiar to me, especially on the head tube. It would be interesting to hear what others say.

Re: Help identifying a Holdsworth frame

I indeed had the same thought. But those decals ...
It does, however, look like it was re-painted at some point and I've never seen those lugs on any Holdsworth so far and also the eyelets are quite high on the forks and seat stays.

It looks like a nice one though, so hopefully I'll be able to pin point who made it and when.

Re:

This is just pre war or early post war. Does it take 27 inch wheels?
Make unknown.
Keith

Re: Help identifying a Holdsworth frame

No idea, all I know and saw is what is in that post.

Anyway definitely not a Holdsworth.

Re:

It is certainly an early frame - headclip, yuk!

And not a Holdsworth, if it were a Holdsworth there would be evidence of a headbadge (i.e rivet holes).

In addition the headtube decal is actually a seat tube decal!

Rk.

Re: Help identifying a Holdsworth frame

They never used that decal on the headtubes? I know that at that time they were still using headbadges, but I thought that they'd use that decal on the headtube too ...

no idea of what lugs are those?

Re: Help identifying a Holdsworth frame

Lugs look like Oscar Egg Spearpoint like on the Gillot Continental frames............

Shaun

Re: Help identifying a Holdsworth frame

That was a good call. They are very similar, but yet not the same :/

Re: Help identifying a Holdsworth frame

So got the frame yesterday and I finally was able to read the BB and it says:

BRITISH MADE with CR23 V LS in the middle (UPDATE: it's not C, but G so it's GR23 V LS and it seems to only refer to the BB being made in the UK)

Pictures here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/anidel/se ... 205155488/

One guy in Australia had/has a very similar track frame (lugs are similar and forks are almost identical):

http://www.bicycles.net.au/forums/viewt ... =9&t=18603
and they say it's a Speedwell frame.

But on eBay someone sold a Holdsworth with the same BB:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1950-039-s-Ho ... 7675.l2557

May be it was just a "made in britan" logo that the lug manufacturer or Reynolds put on their stuff, not sure.
(UPDATE: this guy seems to confirm it: http://www.bicycles.net.au/forums/viewt ... 88#p942031)

It is a very light frame, as light as my Reynolds 531 Holdsworth or the Hugh Porter frame I've got, so I'm certain it's a 531 one.

Also found this reference to the BB in this PDF:

http://www.bicyclehistory.com.au/PDF%27 ... news43.pdf

Look at Page 5 where a guy from Australia (again) asking about that BB.

E-mailed both this guy and the one on the bay for additional info/pictures.