Scott V’s 1962 Raleigh Lenton Gran Prix

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Today is another entry from a regular contributor. This is Scott V’s 1962 Raleigh Lenton Gran Prix. Complete with rod-actuated front derailer, and that classic Raleigh/English fork setup with built-in headlight mount. Great looking paint for 50 years of use; it just shows what a proper storage environment can do for a bike.

Cameron:

It is an 8 speed, but this is a 1962 Raleigh Lenton Grand Prix, Reg Harris model that my dad bought new. It has been kept indoors all its’ life. 33” standover. 531 steel frame, Raleigh “Heron” design steel cranks (made by Williams), High Flange hubs, laced 32/40 front and back, Cyclo 4 speed rear cluster, Cyclo Benelux derailleurs (front derailleur rod-operated) Dunlop special lightweight racing rims, and, Titan adjustable steel stem and bars. All original except for seat, tires & tubes. Features Raleigh alloy kickstand, fork mounted headlight bracket, plastic fenders (the rear fender is cracked). Fresh tires & tubes, kept in ready to ride condition.  Too bad is is too tall for “vertically challenged” me.

Scott V

Related posts:

  1. Feargal R’s 1982 Raleigh Competition
  2. Kevin J’s Raleigh USA Super Course
  3. Bradley G’s 1969 Raleigh Super Course
  4. Dave M’s 1974 Schwinn Continental and 1967 Huffy Cruiser
  5. Peter R.’s Roughed Up Morrison 10-Speed
  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1619264304 Darrell Yarborough

    I’d like to start a pledge drive for a new rear Bluemels. The bike deserves it! :^D

    • BeaterRezQ

      Here, Here!
      Where do we send donations, and to whom?
      That my friend, is about all it lacks.(if even that?)
      Scott, is that a Raleigh/Brooks seat on that bike….I can’t tell, but I have one very similar?
      B

      • Scott V.

        No, it is just a saddle I had lying around. the Brooks B17 was cracked, it now graces my workshop with a set of road bars attached like the Picasso bull head. S. I want to get a B17 with the correct patina…..Scott V.

        • BeaterRezQ

          Scott V., always nice to get an answer to a question here. Your bike is beautiful, and a B17 would only help to enhance its features even more so. B

    • Scott V.

      I have the fender, but it is cracke through. I gotta find replacements. Scott V.

  • BeaterRezQ

    Scott V.,
    What a classic!
    Love everything about it: its odd (as in not so often seen) set up, gold(?) color, pretty lugs, special detailing on crank–one complete vintage marvel. Dude, if that was my “too”-big-for-me bike I would ride it anyways. And if anyone had the nerve to remind me that it was too big, I would smugly respond “You know you want it!”…..The bike in the picture, though not so vintage as yours–is a bit on the too big side, but it never stops me from enjoying it.
    BRQ

    • Trailerparkcyclist

      Wow!

  • Trailerparkcyclist

    Scott, that is really something. The care and condition of that bicycle says as much about your Dad as it does the bike itself. Somehow I suspect you had a happy childhood. Thanks for sharing it with us.

    By the way, it would fit me just fine. Just sayin’…

  • Mark D

    Classic vintage bike porn. I could look at beauties like this all day. The 40/32 spoke setup has always struck me as so logical; more spokes in the back where you need them. Do you still have the pump that goes in those pegs? If not, that should be added to the wish list as well. Love the color. So Sixties. A popular color then, even for cars. I still have my gold Schwinn Deluxe Racer that I got new for Christmas in 1966, but being a single speed it’s not for OTSG. Thanks for sharing.

  • Mark D

    Classic vintage bike porn. I could look at beauties like this all day. The 40/32 spoke setup has always struck me as so logical; more spokes in the back where you need them. Do you still have the pump that goes in those pegs? If not, that should be added to the wish list as well. Love the color. So Sixties. A popular color then, even for cars. I still have my gold Schwinn Deluxe Racer that I got new for Christmas in 1966, but being a single speed it’s not for OTSG. Thanks for sharing.

    • BeaterRezQ

      Mark D, would really like to see that Schwinn Deluxe Racer/66. Sounds like a beauty, even if it is a single speed. I’ve seen 2 speeds, 5 speeds, now 8 speeds, 12 speeds and maybe a 14. I’ve seen hybrids and mountain bikes all at this Gallery, your single speed would be in good company….and in Gold!
      BRQ

      • oldtenspeed

        Sorry BRQ, SS only if there is a ‘before’ picture. You guys should see all the bikes I actually do reject. BRQ you have more than a few in that list. 🙂

        • BeaterRezQ

          ….my bad!
          brq:(

          • BeaterRezQ

            I think we should have like a “Free Friday”, anything goes as long as it’s VINTAGE, odd, mint, etc. I think it would bring a lot more “traffic” into the Gallery and would really be interesting for bike nerds such as myself. But I’ve also been told that I “think” too much…
            Just sayin’…B

          • Ryan Surface

            Now why I am not surprised this suggestion is coming from you BRQ……(LSTM)

          • BeaterRezQ

            🙂

        • Mark D

          Yes, it doesn’t belong here. It’s a SS in the old sense of the words; it rolled out of the Chicago factory with just a coaster brake. However, if I can manage to post some photos somewhere else, I’ll give you a link.

  • Ryan Surface

    Scott

    That is one beautiful piece of rideable Art you have there kudos to your Dad for taking such good care of it and to you for keeping it and sharing it! thanks

  • Mark D

    BTW, how confident are you of the 1962 model date? I was under the impression that by then Raleigh had switched to a cable for the front derailer. Compare yours to the one at http://velospace.org/node/28007, which claims to be a 1958 model; they appear to have been separated at birth. Anyway, a 33″ standover would fit me perfectly, so let me know if you need the correct spelling of my name for your will! 🙂

    • BeaterRezQ

      …another bike nerd with just enough class to stop short of begging, nice.
      B–

      • Mark D

        Yeah, begging would just be rude. 🙂

  • Scott V.

    the bike is older than I thought. I got the original bill of sale on this bike today (9/27/12) from a family member. My dad purchased the bike August 5, 1961 from the River Edge Bicycle Shop, River Edge NJ for $85.00

  • Michael Larmer

    It might have first been sold in 1961, but it’s for sure a 1958 model year Lenton. The front derailleur would be different if it were later than that.