Holdsworth 1938 Catalog — The Password to Progress: La Variable, La Quelda, Olympic, Roi de Velo, Tornado and the Tandems, on One Folded Sheet

Holdsworth’s programme of cycles and tandems for 1938, one sheet folded in four. Both whole sides are shown, each followed by close-ups of its panels; every panel is transcribed once, from its clearest view.

— Page 1 (front cover) —
1938
LMA
BETTER BICYCLES
FOUNDER MEMBER
HOLDSWORTH
The PASSWORD to PROGRESS
HOLDSWORTH
Programme of
CYCLES and
TANDEMS ::

[The front cover of Holdsworth’s 1938 “Programme of Cycles and Tandems”, with the LMA “Better Bicycles” founder member badge and the Holdsworth emblem, a stylized wheel and dropped handlebar. The year is set into a heavy double rule across the top. This close-up shows the cover panel of the folded sheet; the whole side, with this panel upside down, is k38-p07.]

— Page 2 —
[The whole outer side of the folded sheet: the Tornado and Roi de Velo panels upright across the top, and the front cover and the Frames panel upside down across the bottom, with two bicycles and a frame in halftone pictures. Its panels are transcribed on k38-p10 (Tornado), k38-p06 (Roi de Velo and Middlesbro’ Velo), k38-p01 (the front cover) and k38-p12 (Frames). A fold crease runs across the middle of the sheet and a second one runs down between the cover and the Frames panel.]

— Page 3 —
TORNADO . . . . . . . . . SPECIFICATION :
FRAME—Reynolds 531 or H.M. Aircraft Tubing. Any size frame to order.
20–24 Seat tube. 22–24 top tube. 20–24 down tube, 20 gauge Head
Tubing. Wheel base 41½ in. Bracket height 10½ in. ½ in. taper to
5/16 in. seat stays with champhered ends giving very neat appearance
and in conjunction with ¾ in. round taper chain stays produces very
rigid back. Exclusive Australian Front Forks as fitted to Oppy’s
Australian bike. All brazed on fittings.
CHAIN WHEEL SET—Williams Racing Set. The C1000 with 3-pin
detachable Chain Wheel.
CHAIN—Coventry Elite with spring clip fastening.
PEDALS—Genuine Boa Quill pattern, Chrome finish. Tecalemit
Lubrication.
GEAR—Sturmey New A-R Hub Gear. The ultra close ratio. As used
by Sid Ferris and Bert James on their successful Records.
It should be noted that this Gear is claimed to be practically frictionless.
With Quick Release Wing Nuts.
WHEELS—Dunlop High Pressure Rims. Chrome, with Solite Front
Hub and Sturmey Gear in back. Built and tensioned in Holdsworth’s
own workshops. Wing Nuts fitted.
TYRES—Dunlop High Pressure Covers and Tubes. Choice of File or
Ribbed patterned treads.
BRAKE—Holdsworth’s specially imported Italian Bulla Calliper, Chrome
with Silver Cable.
HANDLEBAR—Chrome. Best quality Bend to choice in hand-finished
extension to order.
MUDGUARDS—Bluemels White ” No-weight ” with separate front
extension. Reflector incorporated in guard.
EQUIPMENT—Tecalemit oiling. Brazed on adjustable Fork-side
Lamp Bracket. Tecalemit oiling and gun.
FINISH—Flamboyant on Nickel Plating—Colour to choice or coloured
enamel. Heavily Chromed Front Fork Tips and Rear Stay-ends.
Over-coat Holdsworth’s ” Harglass ” Continental Chevron design
or Continental Bands.
TORNADO
Incorporating the new Racing Sturmey
Archer Hub Gear now attracting so much
attention.
A most suitable mount for the experienced
Clubman.
Fitted High-Pressure Tyres and Rims.
£11 : 17 : 6
or 20/– Deposit and 12 payments of 21/1

[Holdsworth’s Tornado in a halftone picture, with mudguards, dropped handlebars, a hub gear and a pump on the down tube, beside its specification, a short description and its price of £11 : 17 : 6 or 20/– deposit and 12 payments of 21/1. This close-up shows one panel of the outer side of the folded sheet; the whole side is k38-p07.]

— Page 4 —
ROI DE VELO
A veritable ” King of Cycles ” this superb
Path ” Iron ” will transmit every ounce of
your effort into “Speed.” Similarly designed
Cycles have scored successes all over the
country during the past season.
£11 : 17 : 6
or 20/– Deposit and 12 payments of 21/1
ROI DE VELO . . . . SPECIFICATION :
FRAME—” 531 ” or H.M. Tubing built into solid cast Brampton Lugs
which are skilfully cut out and feathered down. Seat Tube 73° angle
with ground. ” Richard ” ⅞ in. round front forks. 2¼ in. rake.
Fine taper Seat and Chain Stays. Wheel base 41 in. with 17 in. rear
or to choice. Bracket height 11½ in. W.F.H. Special Rear Ends
which give exceptional sliding adjustment.
CHAIN WHEEL SET—Williams C34 1 in. pitch × 3/16 in. Sturdy
Cranks which will respond immediately to a ” jump.”
WHEELS—Built by Holdsworth, 26 in. or 27 in. with Solite Hubs and
Tabucchi 13 mm. Rims. Tensioned up to perfect adjustment.
Track Nuts.
TYRES—26 in. or 27 in. Any number Dunlop. Tabucchi Grass. Constrictor
Zone.
HANDLEBAR AND STEM—Bailey, Sibbit, Bulla or choice on Holds-
worth’s specially hand-finished 1 in., 2 in. or 3 in. extension. Chrome.
Holdsworth’s Path-grip.
SADDLE—Brooks B17 Narrow or Sprinter, Mansfield Ormond.
SEAT PILLAR—H.M. Special Light Steel.
PEDALS—Boa Chrome Quill Pattern.
CHAIN—Coventry Elite, 1 × ⅛ in. or 3/16 in.
FINISH—Rust proofed. Finished Lustrous Flamboyant—Bronze, Green,
Red, Blue, etc. Over-coat Holdsworth ” Harglass.” Chrome tips
and ends in special ” Integral Chrome,” Continental Chevron design
or Continental bands on down tube.
MIDDLESBRO’ VELO
A similar Machine but specially designed for steep Velodromes and
Board Tracks.
Short back (16¼ in.) and wheel base, 38¾ in. Seat tube angle 71°
Head 74°, ⅞ in. round front forks with 1 in. Rake. Chain Stays ⅞ in.
taper to ⅝ in. Seat stays ½ in. to 5/16 in. with champhered ends.
£11 : 17 : 6, or 20/– Deposit and 12 payments of 21/1

[Holdsworth’s Roi de Velo path racer in a halftone picture, without brakes or mudguards, beside its description, price and specification, with a boxed note on the Middlesbro’ Velo for steep velodromes and board tracks. This close-up shows one panel of the outer side of the folded sheet; the whole side, with this panel upside down, is k38-p07.]

— Page 5 —
FRAMES
I AM ALWAYS
PLEASED TO
QUOTE FOR
SPECIAL DESIGNS
TO ORDER
(QUOTATION
BY RETURN)
HOLDSWORTH
FRAMES ARE
BUILT WITH
THE SAME CARE
AND ATTENTION
AS COMPLETE
MACHINES
SUPPLIED COMPLETE WITH CHROME CHAIN WHEEL SET, ALL INTERIORS AND SEAT PIN.
TYPHOON …. £4 0 0
TORNADO …. £5 12 6
CYCLONE …. £5 10 0
ROI DE VELO …. £5 15 0
LA QUELDA …. £6 12 6
OLYMPIC …. £7 5 0
Models Cyclone and Roi de Velo are supplied with Chater Fitments at 25/–[?] extra.
EXTRAS TO FINISH.
All Chrome Frames and Forks, Typhoon …. £2 All other Cycles 30/–
Super Continental, i.e. with Continental Coloured Enamel and attractive fancy designs on Tubes.
Continental Chevrons or Bands 17/6 extra.

[A Holdsworth frame with its fork, seat pin and chainset in a halftone picture, between two notes in italic capitals, over a price list of frames for six models, Typhoon to Olympic, and the extras to finish. This close-up shows one panel of the outer side of the folded sheet; the whole side, with this panel upside down, is k38-p07. The first figure of the Chater Fitments price is heavier and taller than the type around it, perhaps inked over by hand, so its reading is doubtful.]

— Page 6 —
[The whole inner side of the folded sheet: the banner “RIDE A WORTHY HOLDSWORTH” over price lists of cycles and tandems and a boxed La Quelda strip, with La Variable and Olympic pictured beside their specifications below. Its blocks are transcribed on k38-p05 (the banner), k38-p09 (Typhoon, Curlew, Stelvio Tourist and Cyclone), k38-p11 (tandems), k38-p03 (La Quelda), k38-p02 (La Variable) and k38-p04 (Olympic). Two dark specks on this scan, one over the second colon of “£7 : 19 : 6” and one beside the No. 2 Tandem lines, are not print and do not appear in the close-ups.]

— Page 7 —
RIDE A WORTHY HOLDSWORTH
[The price list of the Typhoon, Curlew, Stelvio Tourist and Cyclone. Also shown on k38-p09.]
[The TANDEMS price list: Cyclonic, No. 2 Tandem and Double Diamond. Also shown on k38-p11.]
[The boxed strip LA QUELDA – HOLDSWORTH’S WELDED CYCLE. Also shown on k38-p03.]

[The banner “RIDE A WORTHY HOLDSWORTH” over price lists of four Holdsworth cycles and three tandems, with the boxed strip on La Quelda, the welded cycle, beneath; there are no pictures. This close-up shows the top half of the inner side of the folded sheet (the whole side is k38-p08); its three blocks are transcribed from the larger close-ups k38-p09, k38-p11 and k38-p03.]

— Page 8 —
TYPHOON—The VALUE Specification.
Brampton Fittings, Williams’ C34 Chain Wheel Set. Sprite or Firefly Tyres.
Narrow barrel Hubs, Genuine Brooks B15 Saddle. Upright design. Improved
for 1938 by addition of Continental Lugwork—Famous Bulla Calliper Brake
with Silver Covered Cable. Holdsworth’s Continental Chevrons and
Continental Bands on down tube. Coloured Enamel, Chrome Tips and Ends.
£7 : 19 : 6
or
Deposit 20/–
and 12 Payments of 13/8
CURLEW—The Standard Angle Machine.
“531” or H.M. Tubing. 68° Angles only. Sprite Tyres, Brooks B17 Saddle.
Bulla Brake. Flamboyant finish. Chrome ends and Tips.
£9 : 12 : 6
or
Deposit 20/–
and 12 Payments of 16/9
STELVIO TOURIST. The Touring Bike De Luxe. …. £11 : 7 : 6
CYCLONE—Supreme for the Road.
” 531 ” or H.M. Tubing. 73° Head and Seat Tubes. ” Richard ” Front Forks.
C1000 Chain Wheel Set. Special New W.F.H. forward drop-out with adjuster
ends. Solite Hubs. H.P. Rims and Covers. Bulla Brake, Boa Pedals. Choice
of Bend.
£10 : 17 : 6
or
Deposit 20/–
and 12 Payments of 19/2

[A price list of four Holdsworth cycles, the Typhoon, Curlew, Stelvio Tourist and Cyclone, each with a few lines of specification and its cash price or deposit and 12 payments; there are no pictures. The block stands under “RIDE A WORTHY HOLDSWORTH” on the inner side of the sheet (k38-p08) and is also shown, smaller, on k38-p05.]

— Page 9 —
TANDEMS
CYCLONIC. The Short Wheel Base.
Built upright with Short Wheel base of non-freakish design. Chater Lea.
H.M. Tubing. Continental wide flange Hubs. Two Resilion Cantilever ” A ”
Brakes. Williams’ Chain Wheel Set. ” Orange Flash” or coloured enamel.
Chrome Crown, Fork, and Seat Stay ends. Lustrous Flamboyant 10/– extra.
£18 : 18 : 0
or
Deposit 40/–
and 12 Payments of 32/11
No. 2 TANDEM. Derailleur and Hub Brakes.
Cyclo-Gear. British Hub Co. Cycle Brakes. Depressed Hole Rims save
Spoke breakages. Holdsworth’s Ebony Enamel—long lasting.
£17 : 10 : 0
or
Deposit 40/–
and 12 Payments of 30/2
DOUBLE DIAMOND. Road Race.
A Clubman’s joy—A really ” Nippy ” job at a reasonable cost. Brampton-
Williams’ Chain wheel Set, two Resilion Cantilever “A” Brakes, Mark 10
Pedals.
Finish any coloured Enamel with Chrome Crown, Front Fork Tips, two Rear Ends
£15 : 15 : 0
or
Deposit of 40/–
and 12 Payments of 26/10

[A price list of three Holdsworth tandems, the Cyclonic, the No. 2 Tandem and the Double Diamond, each with a few lines of specification and its cash price or deposit and 12 payments; there are no pictures. The block stands under “RIDE A WORTHY HOLDSWORTH” on the inner side of the sheet (k38-p08) and is also shown, smaller, on k38-p05.]

— Page 10 —
LA QUELDA – HOLDSWORTH’S WELDED CYCLE
Produced last year this Cycle leaped to immediate popularity. Riders everywhere recognised the fact that here at last was a genuine British example of Continental
Cycle manufacture and design. WELDED throughout. Any angles are easily obtainable as NO lugs are required. The finished machine rides differently
than a Brazed-up job, the entire bike being in one piece. All bumps, shocks, and jars are distributed over the whole of the machine.
Price with Derailleur, Two Brakes, Sprints, etc., £13 19 6 or Deposit £2 and 12 Payments of 23/6

[A boxed strip of text announcing La Quelda, Holdsworth’s welded cycle, with no picture: a paragraph on its welded frame built without lugs and its price with derailleur, two brakes and sprints. The same strip, smaller, is on k38-p05; the whole side of the sheet is k38-p08.]

— Page 11 —
LA VARIABLE . . . . SPECIFICATION :
FRAME—Latest upright design, angles 70° Head and Seat Tube. Reynolds
double-butted Tubing, mitred and fitted to Holdsworth’s 1938 Con-
tinental design Lugs. Russ pattern front fork. Solid fork ends front
and rear. Brampton fittings throughout. Brazed-on adjustable fork
side Lamp Bracket and Mudguard eyes. Any size Frame to choice.
CHAIN WHEEL SET—Genuine Williams C34 Set with first grade
3-pin fitting Chain Wheel. Best Chrome Finish. 6½ in. Cranks.
CHAIN—Coventry Roller Chain ½ in. × ⅛ in.
PEDALS—Bramptons well-known Mark 10 Pedals or Phillips Grande
Vitesse (Quill pattern) Chromed.
GEAR—Simplex ” Selection Standard ” Gear. The ” up-to-the-moment”
gear with long tension-arm. Down tube Control. Triple Free
Wheel. Cog sizes to choice.
WHEELS—26 × 1¼ in. Chrome Lightweight Endrick Rims on Holds-
worth’s Narrow Barrel Racing Hubs. Built in Holdsworth’s own
workshops. With best double-butted spokes.
TYRES—Choice of Dunlop ” Sprite ” or John Bull ” Firefly ”
Covers and Tubes.
SADDLE—A famous Brooks—the B15.
BRAKES—Two Holdsworth exclusive Italian ” Bulla ” Calliper
Brakes. Best Chrome and fitted with Silver covered Cable.
HANDLEBAR AND EXTENSION—Chrome Plated Shallow High-
gate or Bailey Bend in Adjustable Clip. Shock stop Grips.
MUDGUARDS—Bluemel’s White Featherweight with Reflector incor-
porated in guard. Holdsworth’s Hiduminium Stays.
EQUIPMENT—Bluemel’s Pump, Wingnuts, Tecalemit Lubrication
with Gun supplied free.
FINISH—Rust-proofed and enamelled in our own shops—Ruby Red or
other colour to choice. Over-coat of Holdsworth’s ” Harglass ”
finish giving brilliant and lasting surface. Chrome crown, front
tips and rear ends. Real Continental Chevron on down tube or
Coloured Bands to choice.
LA VARIABLE
As the name implies a geared ” Iron ” of
Continental Design. Incorporating Racing
Derailleur, Continental Lugwork and famous
Italian Brakes.
£9 : 5 : 0
or 20/– Deposit and 12 Payments of 16/1

[Holdsworth’s La Variable in a halftone picture, with mudguards, dropped handlebars and a pump on the down tube, beside its specification, a short description and its price of £9 : 5 : 0 or 20/– deposit and 12 payments of 16/1. This close-up shows one panel of the inner side of the folded sheet; the whole side is k38-p08.]

— Page 12 —
OLYMPIC
Right up-to-date in design and fitments this
model makes an instant appeal to the real
hard riding enthusiast.
Chater Lea Fittings throughout. Profes-
sional du Monde Gear on Continental wide
flange Hubs. Striking modern finish.
£17 : 17 : 0
or 40/– Deposit and 12 Payments of 30/10
OLYMPIC . . . . . . . SPECIFICATION :
FRAME—Choice of ” 531 ” or H.M. Tubing, which is carefully cut and
fitted to Chater Lugs specially cut-out and feathered down. Chater
drop-forged wide pattern crown giving plenty of clearance.
Top tube 22⅝ in., Seat Tube 22 in., down tube all 1⅛ in. tubes. Seat
Tube angle 70°, Head set at 73° angle. Continental rear drop-out,
specially designed for Derailleurs. Top of Seat Stays champhered ends.
CHAIN WHEEL SET—Genuine Chater.—The perfect set.
CHAIN—Coventry Elite—the best chain obtainable.
PEDALS—Chater or racing rat-trap—the enthusiast’s choice.
GEAR—” Simplex ” Professional du Monde. This is the gear ridden
by so many of the Continental Pro’s. Generally considered the most
” Trouble Free ” Derailleur.
WHEELS—British Hub Co’s ” Continental ” wide flange hubs giving
a sturdy wheel and enabling boss-pattern free wheel to be used
with freedom, thereby allowing 14 tooth cog to be fitted. Built by
Holdsworth into Tabucchi Maple Sprint Rims.
TYRES—Choice of Dunlop Tubulars. No. 3 suggested.
BRAKES.—Two Continental ” Bulla ” Callipers. Dural feather weight,
Ample adjustment. Silver cable.
SADDLE—Choice of Brooks Champion Range—B17Ch.—Flyer.
HANDLEBAR—Shallow Highgate, Bailey or choice in Chater Extension,
specially made. Any type. Choice of grips.
FINISH—Rust-proofed and finished in best Continental fashion—”Cane”
Paloma Green, Sebastian Blue. Attractive fancy design on Tubes.
Continental Chevrons or Bands. The whole Job, Holdsworth’s
” Harglass ” Finish.

[Holdsworth’s Olympic in a halftone picture, with mudguards, dropped handlebars and a pump on the down tube, beside its specification, a short description and its price of £17 : 17 : 0 or 40/– deposit and 12 payments of 30/10. This close-up shows one panel of the inner side of the folded sheet; the whole side is k38-p08.]