Dating my Freddie Grubb

[Dick Kite]

Hi - I recently purchased a renovated Freddie Grubb Road Frame (I raced a Grubb track frame in the 60’s as a member of the Chesterfield Coureurs and Clowne Wheelers) hence the attraction!! Unfortunately it’s a 20 and a half inch frame so too small for me. It has been resprayed with new transfers but it has the original head badge and the frame number is 16871. Any information welcome. Thanks.

 

[oldtel]

Hi - I recently purchased a renovated Freddie Grubb Road Frame (I raced a Grubb track frame in the 60’s as a member of the Chesterfield Coureurs and Clowne Wheelers) hence the attraction!! Unfortunately it’s a 20 and a half inch frame so too small for me. It has been resprayed with new transfers but it has the original head badge and the frame number is 16871. Any information welcome. Thanks.

It is probably early 60's, Holdsworth build, so a good frame, maybe straight 531, as Grubb was a lesser brand at the time, but still highly thought of. I hope this helps, check out Norman Kilgariff's wedsite - http://www.nkilgariff.com/

 

[Dick Kite]

Hi- thanks for your swift response. Yes, the previous owner said it was 531(awaiting a new transfer for it). I’m thinking it will be around 1964? Dick

 

[Illaveago]

Nice looking frame.

 

[Dick Kite]

Hi- thanks for your swift response. Yes, the previous owner said it was 531(awaiting a new transfer for it). I’m thinking it will be around 1964? Dick

 

[Dick Kite]

Hi - thanks again for the lead on the Grubb Frame identification.
I’m pretty certain, following verification from the previous owner that it had a 531 sticker on it originally and the head badge is original (albeit now screwed on), that it is a 1963 F H Grubb Super Nova, and probably a 21 and a half inch frame as this was the smallest of the three standard sizes they did it in. (Wish I still had my Grubb track bike, which was third or fourth hand when I raced it from the mid-sixties, so was probably from the mid-fifties!) Dick

 

[Dick Kite]

Hello again out there! Getting a bit more confused about which model my Freddie Grubb Frame is!
From the sources you pointed me towards, I am satisfied that it’s a 1963 (frame no. 16871). I had thought it was a Super Nova but rear brake cable eyes are on top of top tube on that model but not on mine. Also it’s no more than a 21” frame (could be 20.5”) and smallest Super Nova is catalogued at 21.5”. Logic would say it’s a Routier but catalogue doesn’t state this as using 531 tubing. However, the chap I bought it off had it in storage for 45 years and has done a bare metal respray. He’s adamant it had a 531 sticker on it. Any views on exact model and 531 usage very welcome. I am going to sell it as it’s far too small for me. Any views on value would be welcome. I guess a L’Eroica fan would be interested. Thanks Dick

 

[austenbarber]

Did you ever get to the bottom of this? I am renovating a Freddie Grubb too and I am struggling to identify. The lugwork is identical, although this one has the post 64' badge and a later frame No. (18635). Most of the components have been changed and the decals and paintwork redone as well so I've only really got the frame no. and lugwork to go by.

 

[Illaveago]

Did you ever get to the bottom of this? I am renovating a Freddie Grubb too and I am struggling to identify. The lugwork is identical, although this one has the post 64' badge and a later frame No. (18635). Most of the components have been changed and the decals and paintwork redone as well so I've only really got the frame no. and lugwork to go by.

Nice looking frame . I would have thought that the use of Nervex lugs should help you to identify which model and year your frame is if you can find a Freddie Grubb catalogue .
I would have thought pre late 60's .

 

[Goldie]

Hello chaps. You might want to post you frame numbers in Peachy!'s Claud Butler frame number identification thread over on Retrobike, as both your Grubbs date I think to the period when Clauds, Holdsworths and Grubbs were all in the same stable: http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=392124