2 x Hill Special MTB for £225 the pair, original/unused

[rwm1962]

Only 2 made?

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[Guinessisgoodforyou]

Don't know but well worth that for two bikes I'd have thought.

 

[rwm1962]

I think so!

History – Hill Special Cycles

hill-special.co.uk

 

[nstarmore]

I like the look of these, nice little bit of history. Shame they're so far up north as I'd have gone for them I think.

 

[oldave]

Bargain, even without the Hill "history".

 

[The History Man]

Can’t even see what size they are.

 

[raidan73]

These were up a few months ago and didn’t sell. Great price I’d say

 

[kingoffootball]

Can’t even see what size they are.

The frames look medium size ish. I'd say 18", but maybe with the more relaxed geometry about 20".

I went past there yesterday, but wouldn't have had space to pick them up regarelss of the size.

 

[nstarmore]

Hopefully someone here will pick them up as they look interesting.

I can't justify a 10 hour round trip but I'll put it out there that in the unlikely event that someone nearer could pick them up and wanted to split them and could post one on I'd be game.

 

[doctor-bond]

So, a bit of digging based on the hill-special.co.uk link above, viz -

“For a short while in the late 1980s Jack, in partnership with Eddy McGourley, produced Hill Specials at Pedal Sport in Sunderland alongside the Ottadini brand.”

I think the 501 sticker is 1989 or after Based on H Lloyd.

Follow Ottadini and a site called Retrobike has some detail:

Ottadini link

Which has info that Martin Evans of Martrac cycles was a skilled builder in the NE who made frames for Ottadini. And also made a lovely fillet brazed MTB posted by @Heavy with some great insight from Ken Stubbs (@stubbsken) who owned the shop who sold it BITD:

Martrac

So, could these be unused Martin Evans built prototypes to try and resurrect the Hill Special brand in the late 80’s?

The chainsets are ‘Tracer’ (??? BMX brand?) The frames have sweet wrap around stays, interesting long lugs and what looks like fillet brazed forks.

Super interesting rarities that are too small for me! Still tempted though.