Holdsworth 1951 Catalog — La Quelda, La Variable, the Cyclone Frames, Sirocco, Tornado, Typhoon and the Tricycle Conversion Set

— Page 1 (front cover) —
1951
HOLDSWORTH
CYCLES
“The Best for all Types of Cycling”
HEAD OFFICE AND MAIL ORDER:
138/140 BECKENHAM ROAD
BECKENHAM – KENT
BRANCHES
132 LOWER RICHMOND RD..
PUTNEY, S.W.
69 HIGHBURY PARK, N.9.
(nr. Arsenal F.C.)
and there is probably an [?]
Agent in YOUR Town

[The front cover of Holdsworth’s 1951 catalog: four line drawings of cyclists (a rider in a village street, riders on a hill road, a bottle handed up to a rider, two track riders before a crowd) around the green title and the addresses. The head office is at Beckenham with branches at Putney and Highbury Park; a small mark at the foot of the track drawing may be the artist’s signature but does not resolve, and the paper is creased.]

— Page 2 —
“La Quelda” —
The Most Famous WELDED CYCLE
Fifteen years ago HOLDSWORTH first produced “La Quelda” welded frames. They immediately achieved remarkable popularity. During the last two or three years however there has been a tendency to revert to brazed and lugged frames, due, I believe, mainly to the fact that after the war many welded frames were produced with inadequate knowledge and skill.
“La Quelda” is in a distinct class on its own in the welded field. Fifteen years’ experience in this class of frame building must tell and today some of the fastest men ride “La Quelda”.
FRAME | ‘531’ Reynolds tubing welded and finished to give absolutely clean lines. Other details as CYCLONE road frame.
CHAIN SET | Williams well-known and appreciated chrome steel C34.
WHEELS | Dunlop chrome plated high pressure rims built on British Hub Co’s. “Solite” steel hubs with double butted spokes. Dunlop skin sided H.P. tyres and tubes. G.B. [?] alloy lever-type wing nuts. One fixed cog and lock ring fitted.
CHAIN | Reynolds best-—the ‘Elite’ ½” x ⅛” roller.
PEDALS | Holdsworth famous Allez Alloy Quill pattern.
BRAKES | Pair G.B. Alloy Brakes.
BARS | Maes or to choice.
SADDLE | Brooks ‘B17’—the world’s best.
STEM | Holdsworth’s hand-made 3″ in chrome and red enamel.
PUMP | Bluemels.
FINISH | As CYCLONE.
Cash Price (including £6-12-3 P. Tax) – £33 15 8
● Frame only – – – – £12-10-0

[Holdsworth’s “La Quelda” welded cycle, photographed with mudguards and drop bars, with its specification and cash price. A green ornamental rule runs across the head of the page and faint show-through below the title does not resolve.]

— Page 3 —
La Variable . . .
A cycle for the young enthusiast, fitted with a gear. You can take this cycle out in any company confident that it will be appreciated by the ‘heads’ and envied by other clubman.
FRAME | Reynolds famous ‘531’ steel alloy butted tubing built into Continental lugs with smart spearpoints and the modern ‘windows’. Oval to round forks in sturdy crown. Solid drop-outs.
BRAZED-ON | Cable stops for bare brake cable on top tube. Gear cable stops. Lamp bracket boss and pump pegs.
GEAR | Simplex famous Champion du Monde with double roller. Quick changing and light in weight.
FINISH | Eau de Nil, Mauve, Maroon, Red enamel with hand lined head-lugs, crown and top eyes.
Headplate and transfers, including 5 colour Olympic bands.
REMAINDER OF SPECIFICATION as for TYPHOON
but excluding mudguards.
Cash Price (including £5-4-10 P. Tax) – £26 14 10
● Frame only – – – – £10 13 6

[Holdsworth’s La Variable, photographed without mudguards, with drop bars and a derailleur gear, above its specification and cash price. A green ornamental rule runs across the head of the page and print from the other side of the sheet shows through faintly.]

— Page 4 —
Cyclone Frame (ROAD MODEL)
MAIN TRIANGLE | Reynolds double butted ‘531’ tubing to top, down and head tubes. Single butted ‘531’ seat tube. Fancy cut lugs tapered down with attractive ‘windows’.
SEAT STAYS | ½” diam. fine taper ‘531’, fitted Holdsworth’s own and exclusive solid spearpoint top eyes machined and finished in our own workshops.
CHAIN STAYS | ⅞” diam. ‘531’ tapered round-oval-round giving adequate tyre clearance. Rear drop-outs in Continental pattern with mudguard eyes incorporated.
FORKS | Heavily butted ‘531’ steering column with ‘531’ taper gauge oval fork blades, 2⅝” [?] Continental rake tapering to fine rake. HOLDSWORTH solid steel forged crown. Continental drop-outs incorporating mudguard eyes.
BRAZED-ON FITTINGS | Pump pegs for 15″ or 18″ pump. Cable stops for exposed brake wire to top tube. Lamp boss to forks. Simplex boss and stops if desired.
SIZES | 73° head, 71° seat, 41½” wheelbase, 11″ bottom bracket with 27″ wheels. Usual sizes 22″ and 23″.
FINISH | Choice of any colour in first class enamels, or lustre in gold, copper, bronge, silver, mauve, maroon, light or dark green, blue or grey. Double lined. Contrasting band on seat tube. Spearpoints on top eyes lined in contrast. Headplate and transfers including Olympic bands.
● Frame only – – £13 10 0

[The Cyclone road frame, photographed with its fork and a chainset fitted, above its specification and frame price. Print from the other side of the sheet shows through faintly beside the photograph.]

— Page 5 —
Cyclone Frame
(TRACK MODEL)
Sorry, but we can’t ensure that you will become a champion immediately you invest in one of these frames, but we can promise you that it will help you to become one.
FRAME DIMENSIONS | 22″ or 23″ (other sizes to order). Head and seat angles 73°. Top tube approx. 23″. Wheelbase 40¼” [?]. Drive 17″. Bracket height 11¼” [?] with 27″ [?] wheels. Built to give bare clearance with large section 27″ tubulars.
REAR DROP-OUTS | Holdsworth’s own pattern hand-made from 5/32″ thick plate to withstand the heartiest ‘kick’, giving full 2″ adjustment.
FRONT FORKS | ‘531’ taper gauge, ⅞” diam. round fork blades with 1 5/16″ offset, Rake either [?] Continental or gradual.
Genuine steel forged crown, Stallard solid drop-out fork ends.
Other details as CYCLONE road model except that all brazed on fittings are, of course, omitted. Also, if desired, the chainstays can be supplied in fluted pattern.
Cash Price ● Frame only – – £13 10 0
Or with Williams 1″ chainwheel set for block chain £14 11 6

[The Cyclone track frame, photographed with its fork and a chainset fitted, above its specification, the frame price and the price with a Williams chainwheel set. A double green rule runs across the head of the page and print from the other side of the sheet shows through faintly.]

— Page 6 —
Extras
which may be Specified
(Purchase Tax, which is payable where the extras apply to a complete cycle, is shown in brackets.)
| £ | s. | d. | s d.
Making and brazing on special Osgear lugs under bottom bracket for tension arm, and brazing eye to chain stay for striking fork …. | | 10 | 0 | (2 5)
“Ruby Red”, “Helyett Green” or “Brilliant Blue” flamboyants. (All on silver lustre base) …. | | 10 | 0 | (2 5)
Genuine Flam on polished nickel …. | 3 | 5 | 0 | (15 10)
Checkered band on seat tube, any two enamels. (In place of ordinary one colour band) …. | | 7 | 6 | (1 10)
Full Continental style panelling throughout. From | 1 | 5 | 0 | (6 1)
Enamelling all head, in contrasting colour, including approx. 2″ of top and down tubes, finishing in spearpoints. (“La Quelda” frames only) …. | | 10 | 0 | (2 5)
Enamelling head tubes only in contrasting colour. (where not standard) …. | | 7 | 6 | (1 10)
Lining edges of all lugs in contrasting colour. (where not standard) …. | | 12 | 6 | (3 0)
Chrome Plating :—
Front fork crown. (Where not standard) …. | | 6 | 3 | (1 6)
Front fork ends …. | | 6 | 3 | (1 6)
Rear seat and chainstay ends …. | | 12 | 6 | (3 0)
Rear seat and chainstays, up as far as bridges …. | 1 | 5 | 0 | (6 0)
Frame and forks all over. Instead [?] of finish as specified. “La Quelda” …. | 4 | 15 | 0 | (23 0)
ditto. “Cyclone” and “Tornado” …. | 4 | 5 | 0 | (20 6)
ditto. “Cyclone-de-Luxe” and “Sirocco” …. | 3 | 15 | 0 | (18 2)
Forks only, all chrome
“La Quelda” and “Cyclone” …. | | 17 | 6 | (4 3)
“Cyclone-de-Luxe” …. | | 10 | 0 | (2 5)
“Tornado” and “Sirocco” …. | | 10 | 0 | (2 5)

[A price list of extras which may be specified, with the Purchase Tax on each in a green column: Osgear lugs, flamboyant and Flam finishes, bands, panelling, lining and chrome plating. An orange stain sits on the entry for enameling all head, the paper is creased and print from the other side shows through faintly.]

— Page 7 —
Cyclone-de-Luxe Frame
(ROAD or TRACK MODEL)
Introduced in 1948, the fine points of this frame were quickly appreciated and it became a ‘best seller’.
The speciality of this frame is its remarkably fine lug work. Highest quality British cast lugs are used with extra long and fancy spearpoints. The design is exclusive to HOLDSWORTH and the resultant appearance, as will be seen from the illustration, is most pleasing.
In addition the crown, which is genuine steel forging oval, has a finely cut diamond pattern on the top plate. Finishes are as on the Cyclone frame with the addition of a chrome crown, head tube in same colour as seat tube band and all lugs picked out in contrast, thus emphasizing the outstanding workmanship.
● Frame – – £15 15 0

[The Cyclone-de-Luxe frame, its head lugs with long fancy spearpoints and its fork crown photographed in close-up inside a green ruled box, beside its description and frame price. The page is printed in landscape format.]

— Page 8 —
The SIROCCO . . .
HOLDSWORTH’S LATEST — BUILT FOR THE MAN WHO WILL HAVE THE BEST
In the SIROCCO Holdsworth has set out to produce a frame which will satisfy the most fastidious want and has produced the best, regardless of cost. When you become the owner of a Sirocco you just can’t get a better frame. Built of Reynolds ‘531’ Aircraft type tubing with British solid-cast lugs cut and feathered to the unique design illustrated, here is a frame that will respond to your every effort.
Sizes, angles and design to your requirements or we are always most willing to give you the benefit of our long experience in frame designs. All brazed-on modern fittings. Solid cast crown.
Any finish you may require in enamel, lustre or flamboyant on lustre including chrome crown, front and rear ends.
● Frame only
Price £17 17 0
Above are the exclusive HOLDSWORTH pattern Top-Eyes fitted to all HOLDSWORTH FRAMES.
The Lug-work on the SIROCCO Frame
● Frames are supplied with “LYTALOY” Continental Type head fittings and Lock-nut, [?] 5/32″ diam. bearings, top and [?] bottom. Bracket fittings, Bayliss Wiley or Bramton, plated. Alloy [?] Seat Pillar and adjustable Lamp Bracket.

[The Sirocco frame, Holdsworth’s latest, on a wide landscape page: a green ruled panel of description and price between two small photographs, the seat stay top eyes on the left and the lug work on the right. A note below lists the head and bracket fittings; the sheet is creased by vertical folds, a cluster of small purple specks sits below the title, and faint print from another page shows through at the top.]

— Page 9 —
Tornado – Massed Start
Built to supply the demand for a specialized mass-start frame. The Tornado combines the latest Continental ideas with good honest British workmanship.
FRAME | Built throughout with Reynolds ‘531’ tubing. Double butted for top, down and head tubes. Single butted for seat tubes.
SEAT STAYS | ½” diam. fine taper ‘531’.
CHAIN STAYS | ⅞” [?] diam. tapered round-oval-round in ‘531’ giving extreme rigidity. Stallard rear drop-outs for speed in changing.
FORKS | Oval fine taper blades in solid Continental fancy cast steel crown.
BRAZED-ON FITTINGS | 18″ pump pegs behind the seat tube. Simplex boss and gear cable stops. Brake cable stops to top tube.
SIZES | 21½” 22½”, 23½”. Angles 72° head, 72° seat. Top tube 22½”, Drive 18¾” [?], Bottom bracket height 10½”, with 27″ wheels.
FINISH | Superb finishes in almost any colour glass-hard enamel including all the latest pastel shades or lustres in many shades. Continental double box lining and contrasting coloured band around seat tube. Spearpoints on top eyes lined in contrast. Chrome crown.
CHAINWHEEL SET | Italian Gnutti double chainring on steel 6¾” [?] cranks, complete with change mechanism.
WHEELS | Scherens 27″ alloy sprint rims—the best Continental rims —-on Gnutti Quick-release chromed hubs.
TYRES | d’Allesandro ‘Leone’ tubulars, tough but speedy.
CHAIN | Best 3/32″ available.
GEAR | Simplex 4 speed Champion du Monde double roller.
BRAKES | Well known French Alp brakes.
SADDLE | Brooks B17 of course.
BARS | Alloy South of France or to choice.
STEM | Holdsworth’s own hand-made steel 4″ stem with spear-point design.
PEDALS | Holdsworth’s own ‘Allez’ alloy pedals.
PUMP | Continental alloy 18 Zefal.
Cash Price (including £9-5-3 P. Tax) – £47 5 3
● Frame only – – – – – £14-14 0
Frame with double chain-wheel set £17-14-0

[Holdsworth’s Tornado massed start bicycle, photographed with drop bars, a derailleur gear and no mudguards, above its specification, cash price and frame prices. The paper is creased across the specification at the brakes line and print from the other side shows through faintly.]

— Page 10 —
Tricycle Conversion Set . .
HOLDSWORTH’S TRICYCLE CONVERSION SET enables any cyclist to taste the joys of tricycling without being put to the expense of ordering a Tricycle. Many sets are in use all over the Kingdom. Used with Singles and Tandems they have secured National Records. In addition, many disabled and elderly riders find that with its assistance they can continue to participate in the joys of the ‘open road.’
Details as follows :—
Direct Drive by shaft mounted on annular bearings to near-side wheel — very rigid and responsive — offside wheel runs free. Overall width from cone to cone 28ins., will go through most doors and conforms to modern tricycle design.
Bracket — Height reduced by 1 inch.
Fitted to any machine in a very few minutes as follows : Loosen clamping bolt to release off-side wheel complete with stub axle. Pass through rear triangle of frame; replace off-side wheel. Tighten clamping bolt. Adjust 3/8″ bolts to rear ends of frame, passing them through packing pieces provided. Adjust telescopic seat stays to frame height. Fix to seat bolts and ALL IS READY !
PRICE £12. 10. 0.
with Endricks and Sprites.
H.P.’s and Alloy Rims can be supplied as available.

[Holdsworth’s Tricycle Conversion Set, shown in two photographs of a bicycle converted to a tricycle by a second rear wheel, with its description, fitting instructions and price. The lower photograph shows the set from the other side with its bolts and packing pieces laid out on the ground.]

— Page 11 —
Typhoon . . .
Here is a HOLDSWORTH which is within the reach of the man who must watch his expenditure. We would insist, however, that this is a hand-built product of HOLDSWORTH’S workshops.
FRAME | Reynolds famous ‘531’ steel alloy butted tubing throughout. All tubes carefully mitred to fit the Continental lugs which make up the frame.
FORKS | Oval to round blades with 2⅝” rake built into heavily butted steering column. Continental drop-out fork ends.
ATTACHMENTS | Brazed on lamp bracket boss on right hand fork blade, cable stops on top tube, pump pegs.
SIZES | 22″, 23″ and 24″ only. Top tube 22½”, drive 17½”, bottom bracket height 11″ with 27″ wheels producing angles of 73° head and 71° seat.
FINISH | Eau-de-Nil, Fawn, Maroon, Red enamel. Hand lined head lugs, crown and top eyes. Complete set of transfers, including 5 coloured Olympic bands.
CHAIN SET | Williams popular chrome C34.
WHEELS | 27″ x 1¼” Dunlop chrome steel high pressure rims built on British Hub Co’s. ‘Sivada’ or Bayliss Wiley 9/10 hubs, fitted one hub cog and lock ring with “Rosa” track nuts.
TYRES | Dunlop skin sided high pressure tyres and tubes.
CHAIN | Perry ½” x ⅛” [?].
PEDALS | Holdsworth famous alloy, quill pattern ALLEZ.
GUARDS | Bluemels or Continental alloy.
BRAKES | Pair of San Giorgio, Genuine Italian alloy.
SADDLE | The World-famous Brooks B.17.
BARS | Chrome Pelissier, Binda, Maes or South of France.
STEM | G.B. alloy.
PUMP | Bluemels or Continental alloy.
Cash Price (including £4-16-6 P. Tax) – £24 12 6
● Frame only – – – £10-10-0

[Holdsworth’s Typhoon, photographed with mudguards and drop bars, above its specification, cash price and frame price. The paper is creased across the specification at the guards line, small purple specks are scattered over the page and print from the other side shows through faintly.]