Armstrong Consort

[Philnz]

Hi I am new here from New Zealand.
I have just acquired a Armstrong Consort in fairly rough condition but original except rear derailleur.
It has history of living life in the UK and then rode all over Europe. Any how i restore old school English Road bikes as a hobby / obsession . Rotrax's (road and Track), Holdsworths . oh and a Andre Bertin C37,
Now working on the Consort.
I would love to know what year and if anyone could help. S/N A 4196.
Also if anyone has a source for a Decal of the Head badge to go on the Seat tube, I have looked at Velocals, H loyds , and others but not supplied by them.

Any Help in Advance much appreciated.
Phil

 

[Philnz]

Re:

a few more pics

 

[keithglos]

Re:

My best guess is about 1954, original gear probably cyclo benelux. Is the gear lever possibly original?

Armstrong became a Phillips company in 1956.

Keith

 

[Philnz]

Thanks Keith , all catalogs suggest Benelux. The downtube lever is a late 40s -early 50s simplex lever .
More investigation of the parts i think for dates .

 

[keithglos]

Re:

It could have had a Simplex T de F.

Keith

 

[The History Man]

Very similar to mine. That was a Benelux. Click on bike name in signature below for full resto details.

 

[Philnz]

Re:

Thanks History man. I have read your thread and very impressed. Did you happen to find decals during restore research.

 

[The History Man]

Didn't need them as i stopped short of that. Gil m on here can produce whatever you need from photos. He did some from scratch for another bike of mine. I can thoroughly recommend him.

 

[velo6]

Nice, and all the way down under

The Consort appears in this catalogue in the VCC library.
http://www.veterancycleclublibrary.org. ... %20Library).pdf

Although the VCC has dated the catalogue as 1951, I think 1953 would be more reliable as the GB Sport Brake appeared then. To check your machines year of build I would check the rear of your left hand crank. If it is a Williams, there will be a Williams stamp on the rear (sword with EBW) and a 2letter code beneath. Wile you are at it, check the other crank as well - although the right hand crank is more likely to have been replaced.

In the same library the Consort in the 1956 catalogue is fitted with GB Coureur brakes, so my guess would be between 1953-1955...

Williams date codes can be found here: http://www.classiclightweights.co.uk/wi ... ating.html

Good luck, Rogier

 

[Philnz]

Re: Finished Product

Hi There. Thought it would be good to show the finished restore Minus the original Armstrong 1950s plastic mudguards.( Still have them and may put them back on.
Full repaint ,not quite the Magenta i would of liked but happy with the color , One off name decal produced by my local sign writer as well as block pin-striping. Still working on a head badge decal for the seat tube. Nos Dunlop lightweight rims to replace rusted originals , Re - chromed crank and light fixture . Original Bayliss Wiley Hubs and BB, Oringinal GB Brakes and handles .
Factory original components except new Benelux derailleur,Rims , Headset,
Very Happy how its turned out. at a small fortune .

Phil