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BICYCLES MANUFACTURED 1940-1960
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These are some of the bicycles owned the Canberra Bicycle Museum, as representative of this era. |
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Military Bicycle (1940) Manufactured by BSA in the U.K. Used by Britain in World War 2 when transporting troops in Europe. The parachutists would have the folded bike strapped to them and assemble it upon landing, giving them speed and manoeuvrability. [#343] |
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Filvver (1940's) Built as a child's toy, it has no pedal action but is propelled forward by pushing and pulling on the handlebar. [#254] |
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Boys Commuter (1940's) Manufactured by Malvern Star Cycles, Malvern, Victoria. A popular boy's utility bicycle with 24" x 1 3/8" sized wheels. [#543] |
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Mens Roadster/Delivery (1940) Frame maker unknown. Assembled with English parts. Purpose built for the Post Master Generals Department, Australia. The Post Office used these machines for letter and parcel delivery. Bicycles saved the G.P.O. 2000 pounds per year in transport cost. A machine could remain in service from 10 to 20 years. [#714] |
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Ladies Commuter (1940’s) Manufacturer unknown. Purchased from Waltons, Sydney in 1943 for 7 pounds. It depicts a typical, well constructed Australian ladies bicycle of the 1940's. [#594] |
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Mens Track Bicycle (1942) Manufactured by Elliott Bros. of Adelaide, South Australia and called the "Super Elliot". It was top of the line in frame materials and componentry. It was owned and raced by "Rocky" Marshall of Broken Hill in the 1940's and 50's. [#632] |
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Mens Racer (1946) Manufactured by Malvern Star Cycles, Malvern, Victoria. Owned and ridden by Ernie Old of Victoria. Used for very long distance tours throughout Australia. The condition is just as it was on his last long ride in 1960, Melbourne to Bendigo and back; when he was 86 years old. [#629] |
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Autocycle (1947) Built by the Malvern Star Cycle and Motor Company at Malvern, Victoria. In the years immediately before and after World War II, Malvern Star assembled these autocycles using the Villiers engines. [#719] |
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Mens Utility (1949) Built by Malvern Star Cycles, Malvern, Victoria. It represents a standard post-war utility bicycle with the large 28" x 1 3/8" wheels and back pedal hub brake. [#552] |
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Balloon-tyred Bicycle (1950)
Manufactured by Schwinn & Company, Chicago, USA and called "Black Phantom". Much sought after among collectors, this classic bicycle became an essential post-war status symbol for American boys. The Black Phantom lines were similar to previous balloon tyred models, but had much more chrome. It was assumed that chrome would appeal to youngsters because it matched chrome of the American motorcycles and automobiles of the 1950's. The balloon tyred bicycle accounted for USA's second bicycle boom in 1955. [#727] |
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Child's Tricycle with Sidecar (1950's) Made by Cyclops, Sydney, Australia, when children's bicycles and tricycles became popular. [#367] |
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Photo not available |
Ladies Commuter (1953) Built by Malvern Star Cycles, Malvern, Victoria. This bicycle model was called the "Coronation" and it was introduced to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II's coronation. It's special features are: smaller tyre size (26" x 1 3/8"), double rear stays, front fork curved trusses, a convex down tube and "royal" colours. [#63] |
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Track Bicycle (1950's) Manufactured in Perth, Western Australia under the name "Swansea". The "Five Swans" indentations on the headstem casting identify the frame as a top of the line club racer. This frame was set up for track racing. Features are the glued on singles tyres, a fixed rear cog, lack of brakes and the heavy duty chain ring and chain. Restored by Warren Meade. [#691] |