Yes, I said new and 1988 model...a rare combination indeed! This 56cm
(measured from the center of the bottom bracket to the top of the seat tube)
with a 55.5cm top tube Schwinn Paramount 50th Anniversary Limited Edition
built by Waterford is the most beautiful frame and fork I have ever owned.
Even if you are not interested in buying it, you owe it to yourself to at
least look at the pictures. You simply cannot believe how stunning this is!
Richard Schwinn, formerly the head of Schwinn but now at Waterford, told me
this 1988 model was the 47th frameset built in this Limited Edition series
that celebrated Schwinn's fifty years in the bicycle business. It is already
a highly sought collectible, with an especially strong following overseas.
In fact, I am aware of at least one bike collector who has two of the more
common (a relative term since there are not many of these Limited Edition
50th Anniversary frames around) black models hanging on his wall as art.
The frame is painted a gorgeous candy apple red metallic with gold decals
and the fork is gold-plated. This combination of color is so rich and
brilliant it truly looks like royalty! It also has the original Paramount
Stronglight headset that came with the frameset, as well as the red velvet
bag that the gold-plated fork came in. It has never even been built up and
looks as brilliant and regal as when it was first built.
As to the details, this bike is built of Columbus SLX tubing with Shimano
dropouts both on the fork and frame. There are two sets of water bottle
bosses, a braze-on front derailleur tab, pump peg, chain hanger, horizontal
rear dropouts (no dropout screws in them) spaced 126mm apart, brazed-on
downtube shifter bosses, and the rear brake housing is routed on the top of
the top tube.
There is only one paint chip that I could find on the entire frame or fork,
and that is toward the rear of the non-drive side chainstay. This is indeed
a spectacular frame and fork in near-mint condition...I have never seen
better in this model.
I recently sold a black one with several paint chips on the frame and some
small pitting of the clear coat on the gold-plated fork for over $900. This
red one is in significantly better condition and well worth the asking price
to someone who values the historical significance, workmanship, and
exquisite ride this rideable work of art offers.
$950, which includes professional packing, shipping and insurance to the
lower 48 United States.
Pictures are free for the asking.
Thanks