Need Info 1940 Westfield Rambler

[james65]

Purchased this from a dealer for $70. He said it is 1940. Does anyone have a pic of a similar Rambler. I would like to copy the original paint pattern befor motorizing.

Thanks

Jim

 

[meatwad]

This should be close. Also take a look at the columbias.

http://www.nostalgic.net/pictures/bicycle260/978.htm

 

[james65]

Rambler/westfield/columbia

Thanks Meatwad that is perfect. I can get started on it as soon as I return from vacation.

Jim

 

[KilroyCD]

You may want to carefully remove some of the current paint to see what the original colors were (provided the original paint wasn't stripped). Westfield (and Columbia) made many of their models in a variety of colors. Here's my '41 Columbia Superb in "Mohawk maroon" and cream.

 

[james65]

Columbia/westfield/Rambler

Kilroy,
Now that is a beautiful bike! Even though I am on vacation in the mountains(where I found this bike). I have been poking around it. I see red paint under the blue housepaint. Also have found white paint on the tank gills.
It is the pattern that I was looking for mostly, as I have not decided on the color it will be.
I doubt that the pattern is like yours, as yours is more of a top of line bike.
The rambler is more of the economy model.
Meatwad has given me a good lead. How long and about ho much effort went into your restoration? What ever it took it turned out great!

thx
jIM

 

[maltese guy]

You may want to carefully remove some of the current paint to see what the original colors were (provided the original paint wasn't stripped). Westfield (and Columbia) made many of their models in a variety of colors. Here's my '41 Columbia Superb in "Mohawk maroon" and cream.

Thats not a bike! Thats a piece of art.! Can you tell me what the struts on the fork serve for?

 

[KilroyCD]

Kilroy,
Now that is a beautiful bike! ... How long and about ho much effort went into your restoration? What ever it took it turned out great!

thx
jIM

Jim, I'm gonna come clean. I bought it that way. Truth be told, it IS a 1941 model Columbia F9T "Superb", but reissued in 1998 when Columbia pulled out the original tooling and did a small production run in the maroon. Mine is serial number 102. They then did a production run in "Berkshire Blue" around 2002 as their 125th Anniversary bike. All told far fewer than the planned 1500 units were produced, and bikes from both production runs regularly show up on eBay.
This model was Columbia's top of the line model, complete with the dashboard holding the Stewart-Warner "Clipper" speedometer and a clock.
They were $83.50 in 1941, and a mere $1495.00 as the 125th Anniversary model. I found mine on eBay for $699. The bike has never been ridden.

 

[KilroyCD]

Thats not a bike! Thats a piece of art.! Can you tell me what the struts on the fork serve for?

The struts are called "truss rods" and were originally used to add strength to the fork. But as time went on and metallurgy improved (and forks became stronger), they became more of a cosmetic touch.

 

[Whizzerd]

Nice bikes fellas! What if a company like Felt built a tasteful Classic w/ ArtDeco design elements. Kilroy, do you think it would sell?

 

[SimpleSimon]

I ain't Kilroy, Whizzard, but I think such a retro bike would sell like hot cakes at a volunteer firemen's breakfast!