Cut and pasted from somewhere..........
Early frame numbers were prefixed with a letter. They were stamped on the left side rear dropout. The following is a list compiled from various sources and is probably not 100% accurate. If anyone can provide more accurate information, it would be very welcome.
A 1939 F 1957-58 L 1963
B 1940-48 G 1959 M 1964
C 1948-52 H 1960 S 1965
D 1953-54 J 1961 T 1966
E 1955-56 K 1962 Y 1967
(This series of letters needs revision. With more frames identified it is clear that in the 1950's a single prefix letter was used for several years. In the 1960's, as production increased to meet demand, more than one letter was used per year. For example, E seems to be more relevant to 1957-1958. I need to reinterpret the data I have to try and clarify this.)
From 1968 to 1972 two numbering systems were used. The majority of models had simple numbers, up to seven digits, sometimes with leading zeros, stamped on the left rear dropout, at the top of the seat tube to the rear or under the bottom bracket. I do not have sufficient data to analyse these numbers and relate them to specific years.
Some models, the Professional and Giro d'Italia models have been identified, had a letter and numbers. I am aware of bikes with D, F and G. My initial view is that D was 1968-69, E was 1969-70, F was 1970-71 and G was 1971-72, when the numbers changed to the new scheme.
Shaun
. I turned 20 lol
