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Schwinn's historical dynasty is huge in the USA! Many splendid and interesting
bicycles were made by Schwinn but the most fascinating and now collectible are the
Paramount models. Since their introduction in the 1930s, Paramounts were the
dominant racing lightweight in America for 50 years.
These few pictures merely scratch the surface of a huge topic!
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Robert Clair's striking 1939 track
bike...
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1940
Images taken from the 1940 catalog
Adjustable track stem,
Paramount cranks, Schwinn Paramount
Sports Tourer, track racer so popular with 6 Day Racers.
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From
the 1940 Schwinn Lightweight Catalog:
"Read what John (Pop)
Brennan, the greatest authority in the U. S. on Racing bicycles, says about Schwinn-Built
Light-weight Bicycles.
'I have been the official mechanic at 6-Day
Bike Races for over 25 years and have serviced every make of racing bicycle used.
'This past season,
we had 18 to 20 Schwinn Paramount Racers on the track.What the boys call their No. 1 bikes
have gone approximately 10,000 miles each or a total of over 90,000 miles in the 13 races,
and I have yet to replace a worn or detective part. Not a single frame broke, and I
honestly believe the strength of these frames saved the boys from serious injury many
times, because we had an unusual number of bad spills during the season.
'I recommend
Schwinn-Built bicycles not only to the racing men but to every cyclist who wants a
lightweight, light running, substantial bicycle with correct lines and the best
equipment.' " |
Jeff Archers beautiful
1950s track iron
. Notice the photo credit given Camel
Cigarettes!
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Sam Fitzsimmon's
early Schwinn Continental.
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Richard Douth's Whizzer-Supreme
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1964 Paramount track.
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The Paramount Mystique...
Utilizing women brazers
in the 1970s.
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Curved seat tube,
short wheelbase Paramount.
(from 1970s BICYCLING
Magazine advert)
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Chrome P-13
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Jeff Archer's late 60s P-10, early 70s P-13, trio of chrome Paramounts
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An amazingly well
preserved 1973 Paramount
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1972 Paramount in a unusual green.
 
  
 
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