1938 Elgin Bluebird

silverbear · #1 (**permalink**) 09-25-2009, 10:33 PM

I just thought I'd share this. I have long been a fan of the designer for Elgin who was a real artist. Pictured is a restored l938 Bluebird. No this bike is not mine. I do have a 1934 Elgin four star step through bike, but this one is something else. The photos speak for themselves...
Silverbear

silverbear · #2 (**permalink**) 09-25-2009, 10:43 PM

And here's a 1936

1936 Elgin, Bluebird

The Elgin Bluebird was the most radical streamlined bicycle ever produced during the 1930's. The frame is made up of a stamped steel fuselage that is actually a structural part of the frame. There is no top tube. The fuselage also had a speedometer and headlight built into it, along with a trap door allowing stowage of tools.
Year: 1936 Brand: Elgin
Start of Production: 1935 End of Production: 1937

silverbear · #3 (**permalink**) 09-25-2009, 10:47 PM

...and a 1934 Bluebird.

silverbear · #4 (**permalink**) 09-25-2009, 11:00 PM

And here is a 1938 Elgin Robin, also very nice. These were the bikes boys dreamed of in the 1930's...sold by Sears who innovated a payment plan so that a $50.00 bicycle like the ones in this thread could be purchased in monthly payments. At one time Elgin had a huge portion of the bicycle market. Where are these wonderful old bicycles now? Where do I send my monthly payment?

GearNut · #5 (**permalink**) 09-25-2009, 11:19 PM

All of these bike you have shared are awesome!
Thankyou for sharing!

**2door** · #6 (**permalink**) 09-25-2009, 11:36 PM

My mouth is watering...

Tom

silverbear · #7 (**permalink**) 09-26-2009, 06:32 AM

Glad you like them, too. Here are a male and female version of the less expensive 4 star from 1940.. I believe the earlier frames were by Cleveland Welding, not sure who was making them by 1940. Well made, for sure.

Category: transportation
Type: bicycles & motorcycles
Origin: Illinois
Year: 1940

The parts I'm using for the Worksman are from a 1940 step through which did not have the rear rack, tank or light. The frame went missing and I have had the gothic fenders, chain guard, seat and skirts knocking around since. The 1934 step through I have is very similar in design, does have the rear rack, and tank, but not the headlight I'll post a picture of it sometime. The 4 star is a much less expensive bike than the Bluebird or Robin, but still has some wonderful design elements.

"A 1940 Elgin 4 Star Deluxe Twin Bar with classic twin headlights, air stream handlebars, gothic fenders, and teardrop horn battery case. Great example of industrial art design, original cost $29.95. "

This is the description for the boys model. I like the sweeping "airstream" handlebars. I'll have to look through what's available online and see if there's something similar. The Worksman/Elgin could use ones like that.
I wonder what a Bluebird made as well today from as the same high quality materials would cost. I guess fifty dollars was a lot in 1938. In my budget it still is.
Silverbear

GearNut · #8 (**permalink**) 09-26-2009, 11:46 AM

silverbear, I am really liking these photos of beautiful bicycles. Is there a way I could get larger pictures of them?

azbill · #9 (**permalink**) 09-26-2009, 12:24 PM

what a nice bunch of eye candy !!!!
I like the style and the way the old bikes were built

thanks for posting !

silverbear · #10 (**permalink**) 09-26-2009, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GearNut

silverbear, I am really liking these photos of beautiful bicycles. Is there a way I could get larger pictures of them?

I copied these after googling Elgin Bluebird, Elgin Robin and Elgin 4 star. I didn't do a lot of exploring. One of a 36 bluebird was much larger, but didn't come through as a thumbnail. I'll see what I can do later when I have more time. I used to have some on a disc and may take a look this evening. Helping a neighbor with a project & must get back to work. The bluebirds especially are worth really close looks... just amazing. If you try it and are successful, post them please. I never get tired of looking. I know it would be a crime to alter a clean one and nobody could afford it, but can't you just see a motor in all that room under the tank? A V twin would sure be the thing. I also like that color in the first one, kind of a pearl gray to my eye. Hmmm... maybe I'll do the Worksman in that color.
Silverbear