I want to ride my bicycle…page 3
There
were also fewer squeaks and rattles - a
more solid machine. These frames were formed into three basic styles for
the balloon tire bikes: the "straight bar," "DX" and cantilever
or "B-6." Different components were added to these styles to create
the various models. Before the war, Schwinn usually identified their machines
with numbers (with the exception of the "Aero Cycle" and "Autocycle,"
their top-of-the-line). After the war, the company got a little more creative
with their bicycle names and in many cases used the names of
animals - Hornets, Jaguars,
Panthers, Wasps, Starlets and Hollywoods roamed out of the factory.
In 1949, they attached a name
that conveyed mystique and captured the imagination of the public - the Phantom.
Starting with a cantilever frame,
they added chrome - lots
of it. A chrome-plated horn tank, chromed flared fenders, rims, headlight, front
spring and more made this bike sparkle. The frame was
painted black with red accents
and white pin striping. The
result was visually stunning. Standard was a spring I fork on the front, deluxe
rear carrier with a working tail light, extra plush leather saddle and
streamlined fender light. The bike instantly became "the" bike to have
– Schwinn's top-of-the-line) No other brand or model possessed the same
aura. A metallic green Phantom and a red
Phantom were added later, but only the black one
was identified by its color.
In
1995, the restructured Schwinn Company commemorated their 100th
anniversary of the founding of the company with the reissue of the Black
Phantom. Ted Kirkbride from Schwinn directed the remake. Knowing that
Schwinn collectors are picky about authenticity,
Kirkbride
wanted to be accurate. After comparing many different examples, he determined
that no single make could be used as the definitive Phantom. He
decided to base
the modern version on an early 1950 model. The modern version is surprisingly
close to the original, although it is not intended to be an exact duplicate - it
is a current Black Phantom. Buyers today can walk into their local Schwinn
dealer, plunk down $2,500 to $3,000 (as opposed to $ 100
forty years ago) and ride home in style. If you
are not in the market to spend that
much, Schwinn offers a good substitute with their "Deluxe Classic."
For around $400, you
can ride home on a bike with Phantom- you can ride home on a bike with
Phantom-style horn tank, springer, luggage
rack, pedals and grips.
Not
far behind (and in some enthusiast's minds equal) was the Schwinn Panther. This
one used the "straight bar" frame with a chrome horn tank and fenders.
Two-tone paint schemes, springer front
and Rocket Ray headlight made this one
a show stopper too.
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