For Sale: Claud Butler/Holdsworth project; great patina and provenance!

Despite being a relative novice to this field I've in my possession a 50+ year old Claud Butler/Holdsworth restoration job that I've promised someone I would sell for them.
That someone (a Cambridge Don of my acquintance) walked into Ben Haywards bike shop on Kings Parade in 1962 or 1963 (they can't remember which) with a piece of cardboard painted dark grey. Their selected road bike model was then built by hand of 531 tubing and painted to specification. The next 48 years was spent commuting between a village south of Cambridge and the University in the pursuit of SCIENCE rather than racing glory; the paintwork was never touched. That very same, now septegenarian owner, wants someone who'll enjoy this to have it, and put the proceeds towards a bike he won't fall off so often.

As you'll see from the photos linked below (please let me know if you need a different link), and the one hopefully uploaded, the paintwork was left to become the thing of aged beauty that it is; however other parts were added and replaced.

icloud.com/photostream/#A15q­XGF1shjsU

I've tried to place the exact model type but as it dates from a complicated time ownership-wise and the catalogues aren't clear, I haven't nailed it down. The Olympic badge is obvious but the bi-lam lugs appear to be of the Cavaliar/Aspirant type, so not an Olympic Sprint:

homepage.ntlworld.com/nkilgariff/­CBcats/Cat_56/YellowCat/FrameFeatures.jp­g

The bottom bracket has a '23432' stamped on it but I can't see that this corresponds to the date of manufacture.

Anyway, the seat tube measures 20", the diagonal 23" and the horizontal 21", so it's on the small side (one reason I'm not restoring it). However it is currently highly rideable, if a little dirty with a slight question mark at the cranks. The Brooks saddle is not original but very fine.

I'd consider bringing this to someone within a reasonable drive of Cambridge, like most of North London, for petrol money.

Given the provenance and the patina I'm asking £190 but am open to offers.

9 Attachments

Holdsworth used a simple sequential numbering system, Frame No. 23432 would date the frame to 1954/5, this might help locate the frame model.
Nice bike.

The URL to the pictures doesn't work :/

Nice provenance.

The Olympic "Road" was introduced in 1967, before there were only Olympic Sprint track / path frames.

Thanks falconvitesse & anidel; curiouser and curiouser. If this is an Olympic Road (as the kindly located period ad suggests), then the frame date and purchase year are in question.

I've attached the additional photos

Anyway, any offers? I'd be happy with £180. We can do a deal on just the frame if desired and don't forget I can deliver.

i dont think they are bi-laminate lugs -- i have a 1954 claud butler bike similar to that--- i think its an aspirant or coureur-- i think claud butler sold out to holdsworth in 1956 btw-- think 180 is a bit steep considering the condition tbh!

True, as much as it is a nice steel, I also think 180 is too steep as a price.

They look like Nervex Pro to me.?

Hmm... what size are the wheels?
How much for just the frame? Possibly with bars and stem too?

Mmm the Nervex Pro are a bit different than these

Found them: https://www.flickr.com/photos/mapcycles/4043199376/in/photostream/

Prugnat 62BIS, not seen often.

Thanks for the help Anidel.

Do I hear £150 for the works?

Oxpolean: £120 for the frame and bars?