by Jim Cunningham, CyclArtist

The 12th Annual Concours d' CyclArt, Swap Meet and Open House were the best yet.

It was also the last of it's kind. 

Our swap meet had 85 vendors filling over 120 spaces.  There were 42 bikes in the Concours.  This year, no CyclArt owned bikes were displayed with the Concours.  Instead, we opened our shop, warehouse and showroom to the public.  Inside, hundreds of bikes, frames & thousands of parts were displayed.  Exotic GT time trial bikes hung next to Schwinn B10Es, 1983 Eddy Merckx next to 1920 Mead Ranger.  Stocks of classic Campy, Simplex and  MAFAC nestled in their boxes, and wild custom paintwork leapt from display racks.  Prices were often better than in the swap booths.

Outside, the swappers swapped and the Concours bikes glistened for judges and admirers.  Many partook of the bagel breakfast & barbecue lunch provided by Trish & Becky.   John Collins handled sound and photography.

Concours prizes donated by generous sponsors were displayed in a glass case.  Winners were announced in order of score & had their pick of the prizes on display.   

Sponsors & their gifts were:
Bicycle Trader:  Subscriptions, classified ads,  classic French bells,  MAFAC tool kits.   
Bicycling Magazine:  Helmet & a  bunch of cool  accessories.
Cool J's:  Vintage sunglasses.  Famous looks  from Jackie O,  John Lennon, Blues Brothers & Elton John.
CyclArt:  Refinish  gift certificates, vintage parts &   publications.   
Electra Bicycles: Cruiser Jacket, caps & T-shirts.
Hyper-formance Bicycles: Stingray parts.
Kelly Kobayashi: Leonardini Asti Sparkling  Italian wine
Rivendell Cycleworks:  Zeus Sew-up carriers,    unfinished dropouts forging, lug  paperweights,  Bleumels fender spats, Grandpa's pine tar soap,  and Sugino chainrings.
Two Brothers Pizza:  Large Cheese Pizzas


Concours judging was conducted as per  my "Good Judgment" article.  (see TBT May-June)  Under this system, 20% of points are  for "Presentation "  to recognize  each owner's effort in researching & presenting information about their bike.  Several of the bikes were displayed with comprehensive documentation and accessories.  Some owners, stood with their bikes to answer judges questions, adding to the fun and learning.  All participants were given participation decals and door prizes.

This year's Concours Judges were:  Kelly Kobayashi, Steve Parker, Mike Guerrero and myself.   It was a real pleasure to work amid the combined experience of such a team. 

 
Winners:

Best Pre-War Balloon  &  People's Choice     
Schwinn Auto cycle, Rose Marie
Best Vintage Racer & Most Rare
Bianchi Folgorissima, Gino Londi
Best Original
1941 Schwinn Cadillac, Rose Marie
Best Restored
1951 Schwinn Black Phantom,  Tim Schweighart
Best American
1984  Kelley Kobayashi  #004, Kelley Kobayashi
Best Italian
1949? Benotto Corsa,  Gino Londi
Best British
1969 Hetchins Novus Ductor, Jimmy  Thomson
Best Tandem
GT LTS Tandem, Jeff Jones
Best Track
1974 The Flying Gate, Bill Corbett
Best Touring & Most Beautiful
1961 Jack Taylor Tandem, Gilmore & Follett
Best Motorized, Most Cool
947 Whizzer,  Scott Peck
Best Concept Bike
Titanium Beam Bike, Joe Starck
Best Custom
Spectrum, Scott Oberle
Best 1950's
1952  Hetchins Nulli Secundus, Jimmy Thomson
Best 1960's
1969 Bianchi,  Rick Gaytan
Best 1970's
1973 Schwinn Paramount Track,  John Luker
Best 1980's
1983 Masi Gran Criterium,  Bill Duffy
Best Antique &  Most Historic
1980?  Boneshaker, Bryan Gira
Best Paint
Caylor,  Scott Oberle
Most Artistic &  Best Lugs
1996 Baylis Road,  Terie Baylis
Best New Design:
Low Racer Recumbent,  Pharobike
Best Muscle Bike:
1963 Schwinn Stingray,  Dave Cardona
Most Unusual
1920's "Inglish"   DeLuxe Tricycle,  Natalia  Londi

 
Future CyclArt Concours events will be held indoors and  be more like a gallery show, or party, perhaps lasting several days.  Swap meets, if any,  will be held separately from Concours so that participants do not  have to choose between one and the other. 

Thanks to our co-sponsors,  judges, those who helped with set-up and set down and those who brought display bikes.  You're all winners! 

Someday soon, I hope to visit  YOUR  event. ~ JFC

NEXT PAGE