Holdsworth, W F

It was available as a Road frame or a Track model, at a price of £15.15.0 in 1949. The Cyclone model came next using the same lugs but without the addition of the elongated spear. At £13.10.0 it soon became the most popular model, outselling the De-Luxe and, the third model, the La Quelda, a lugless frame, introduced to answer the increasing demand for a welded frame.

During this period, parts and materials were difficult to obtain and changes were made to specifications dictated by availability.  I have seen forks made with round-round, oval-round and, D-round with, cast fork crowns and, with Holdsworths own twin plate crowns. Frames were made from Renolds “531” tubing and had Stallard or Chater Lea ends.  Finish for these frames was, any colour enamel or, lustres in gold, copper, bronze, silver, mauve, maroon, light or dark green, blue or grey. Flamboyants were also available in Ruby red, Helyett green, or Brilliant blue, all on a silver base. If availability of parts proved the problem in the early post war years, the period from 1951-54 was hindered by the de-rationing of petrol and the cancelling of purchase tax, leading to increased sales and increased use of motor cycles and cars. This coming soon after the descition by Holdsworth, to increase their range to seven models, saw demand for cycles drop off.

1952 saw the introduction of the Zephyr and the dropping of the Cyclone-de-Luxe. The Zephyr lugs were the same as those on the earlier Cyclone with the addition of windows, frames were for Road Path use and cost £15.15.0.  With the passing of the Cyclone- de-Luxe the Cyclone took on a simpler lug but was embellished by the addition of the long spear point used on the De-Luxe, but with a single window cut into it. The price now was £14.7.6. A ladies version  was also available with a shorter top tube.

New for 1953, was the “new” Whirlwind. Gone were the scroll lugs originally used on the Sirocco, now we had an ornateness never before seen on a Holdsworth.   Sandy Holdsworth personally endorsed the frame as “His pet”, this top of the range frame was still £17.17.0. A new Path frame was listed this year but only lasted for the one year. The Roi De Velo appears with little information other than it was lugged, had round fork blades and used Holdsworths own oval box crown, it cost £15.5.0.  This was also the first year of the Hurricane, produced as an entry level complete cycle, not available as frame only.

The Hurricane Cycle only available to five different specification depending on the equipment from £23.9.0.  Most significant was the move towards Nervex lugs, only available on the Cyclone this year. All other models stayed as previous years, it leads the way.  But, Holdsworth still embellished the lugs by adding the long spear point to the Nervex lug.  Also new this year for the Monsoon, was the mention of Agrati ends, with Campagnolo self-centering ends available at extra cost.  These had only been available on the Whirlwind during the previous year. Things get a little fuzzy in the period from 1955-60. What I do know, is that trading became difficult at Holdsworth and the range was reduced to four frames by 1960.  These were Cyclone, Zephyr, Monsoon and Hurricane.  The Cyclone and Hurricane both had Nervex lugs while the Monsoon and the Zephyr retained theirs from previous years.  Gone during this period were the Whirlwind and Typhoon

The Head Badge and down tube transfer.

The changes in 1953 included a new head badge (left). Stamped from a soft alloy it continued the tradition of the prancing horse and the crossed scimitars and was Gold/Blue/Red in colour but, with the addition of a crown on top. This badge stayed with Holdsworth until the end becoming a transfer in the late 70s. Prior to this the head badge used most commonly was of pressed brass which was then enamelled in red and black.  However a very ornate badge has appeared on the top models. It is evident from early catalogues that a crown shaped badge which was made from brass appeared on the Sirocco and Whirlwind models. This badge appears to have come in two forms, the first as described above and the second with the addition of a scroll above the crown with the frame model name stamped into it.  So far, I have only seen a photograph of this rare badge, on a Cyclone-de-Luxe.

With the difficulties experienced immediately post war, with the supply of materials, some frames were sent out, with transfers on the head tube and I have heard of an early alloy badge but, as yet I have not seen one. Two types of down tube transfer were used. Pre-war and, post-war up to 1955, a fancy block lettering was used. These transfers were easily identified, as the W.F. were placed one above the other preceding the Holdsworth (below).  In 1953, Holdsworth changed to a fancy script style this style lasting till 1955. With both the badges and the transfers however there was a certain amount of crossover.