A.E.Elsegood

The Holdsworth marque enthusiast confirms it is indeed a Holdsworth likely from 1938 and possibly a rare La Variable model.

Exciting :)

Very nice!

Indeed

@anidel the double-plate fork crown is really something to behold, as are the rather deco/modernist shapes in the lugs for that matter.

Rather like your apartment stairwell space too! Australia?

Last message here as I don't want to steal it with what doesn't look like to be a Elsegood.

@Skülly thank you! The first pictures aren't mine and the second subset is from the common area of my apartment block.
Not Australia btw, both in the Uk (London area)

Thanks for the words on the frame!

Def a build thread when you decide what to do with it, it's a beautiful frame :)

Thanks, will do.

it'd be nice to know which frame it is so to look for a bit more appropriate components. But we'll see :)
Will definitely open a build thread.

Last e-mail exchange with the Holdsworth Marque Enthusiast. It is a La Variable from 1939.
Off to create a build thread.

The Elsegood hasn't seen much action over the summer with the GT being done up and the Serotta being on cobbles training duty.

So I decided to dust him off, fit the mudgaurds that came with the bike when I accquired it and use him for commuting and a few Chaingangs, before the weather gets too bad and the salt starts to go down.

When you haven't ridden a quality steel frame for a while it's such a pleasure to get on one. It's like riding silk and every commute involes a massive smile, I have had to dress a little more smartly though :)

Here it is smashing up the bike sheds. Mrs Beards Condor is next to it for the ultimate contrast.

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Nice one :)

Found another one :)

More details to follow in the coming weeks

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Looks in great conditions too!

Nice find.

Very nice find and will looks stunning when finished, I hope the chrome plating is in good order...If so, I would be tempted to restore the laquered panels and keep the original decals as they are far more detailed than the repros.

and those decals look in to be in great conditions too.

Apparently the chrome isn't in the best of nick, my plan is to keep it as is at the moment.

I'm Going to build this one up (already christened as Alan after @alanelsegood as the blue Minster is referred to colloquially as 'Arnold') as a winter bike with the groupset off the blue Minster, as I've found a DA 8 speed 7400 hub and add Dynamo lights.

Then build the blue Minster up with period parts a bit like yours.

That's the plan at the moment, if I can't shift the Super Lenton though, plans may change and both Minsters may end up in the loft until after August :(

I'll post photos when I get the frame

You've locked the Lenton's thread, you're trying somewhere else?

It's on Retrobike now

yeah, saw it a few minutes ago.

It arrived at BC today and is being built up by @hillbilly next week.

@Boscarn was right and the detail on the original decals is awesome, the chrome is ratty but should clean up ok so I think I'll lacquer the exposed decals and keep it as is for the time being.

This one is a lot younger than the blue Minster on first inspection, it has shot in seat stays, some less obviously hand cut lugs and some cable stops, which is nice!

I only took one photo stupidly, but here it is. More to follow next week.

Next job - shift the Lenton!

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Chromed framesets FTW!

Well most of mines chromed.....I reckon your Carlton might win the vintage bling off!

"Rat-off" more like; although hopefully some Coke and tinfoil will improve things...

Can you educate me on the coke & tinfoil method, I've tried tinfoil before but not with coke?

Just dip the foil in Coke.

I seem to remember reading that using the dull side of the foil gives best results.

Daft question wasnt it really :)