POWERHOUSE COLLECTION

Carbine track or road racing bicycle, c.1938

Object No. 2004/133/3

The Carbine bicycle is an excellent representative example of a popular road and track bicycle made in Sydney by F. (Fred) D. Walcott of Wentworth Ave, Sydney during the 1930s. Carbine bicycles were of high quality and were eagerly sought after by the New South Wales and ACT cycle racing fraternity of the 1930s and 1940s. The bicycle has an interesting history in that it was sold by Mr Jack Hepher, who had an agency for Carbine bicycles, from his Campbelltown bicycle shop in the 1930s. The bicycle was sold to Mr Dick Coles in 1938 who was a "top line" junior cyclist with the Campbelltown Cycling Club. Years later the bicycle was discarded and Mr Hepher acquired the bicycle and restored it during the 1970s to its appearance when it left his shop. Margaret Simpson Curator, Science & Industry 2004

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Summary

Object Statement

Bicycle, Carbine, track or road racing, metal / rubber / wood / leather, designed by F D Walcott, made by Carbine Cycles, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, c.1938

Physical Description

Bicycle, Carbine, track or road racing, metal / rubber / wood / leather, designed by F D Walcott, made by Carbine Cycles, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, c.1938 This bicycle is fitted with a diamond-shaped handlebar stem, wood rimmed wheels, whitewall racing tyres and top-of-the-range BSA racing pedals. It is finished in the original-style red livery with white decals and has the small brass horse's head emblem that was affixed to the steering head on Carbine bicycles made after 1935.

DIMENSIONS

Height

1000 mm

Width

455 mm

PRODUCTION

Notes

Carbine bicycles were originally manufactured in Melbourne from 1896. Although having no connection with the Melbourne-made Carbine, T W Henderson of 40-42 Park Street, Sydney began manufacturing Carbine bicycles, named after the famed 1890 Melbourne Cup winning horse. Henderson sold the business to F D (Fred) Walcott, an ex-champion cyclist, in about 1918 and Walcott manufactured and sold Carbines from his premises at 88-90 Wentworth Avenue, Sydney. Walcott's business closed down in 1968. Carbine bicycles were the choice of serious racing cyclists in New South Wales and during the 1930s dominated the racing scene. In 1932 alone the first, second and third place getters in the New South Wales state titles rode Carbine bicycles.

HISTORY

Notes

The Carbine bicycle is set up as a road and track racing bicycle and was purchased at auction from the collection of Mr Jack Hepher. Mr Hepher was born in about 1915 and raced bicycles in the 1930s, competing six times in the famous Goulburn to Sydney race. He owned a bicycle shop in Campbelltown from the 1930s selling Carbine and later Speedwell bicycles. He sold his bicycle business in 1954 and in 1976 bought the Ye Olde Bicycle Shoppe in Bundanoon where he hired bicycles and restored pre 1940s bicycles. He has since retired to Mittagong and kept his collection of bicycles in special garage/workshop next to his house. In 2003 an auction was held and most of his collection of over forty pre 1940s pedal bikes sold. This Carbine bicycle was actually sold by Mr Hepher from his Campbelltown bicycle shop to a Mr Dick Coles who rode with the Campbeltown cycling club in the 1930s. Mr Coles was described by Mr Hepher as a "top line junior rider". He was in the successful junior team which came 7th in the State Premiership. Mr Hepher is keen to have it known that the bicycle is not ideally set up as a track racer as the back wheel should be up closer to the frame. The Campbelltown club finished during the Second World War and the Mr Coles' Carbine bicycle was later thrown out. Mr Hepher was alerted to this fact so he rescued it and had it restored including the carefully executed fine lining which was undertaken for Mr Hepher in the 1970s by a man from Panania who had the old sign writing skills. Although the wheels are timber, alloy wheels had appeared by the 1930s. Nevertheless, timber wheels continued to be made in Sydney into the 1940s. Mr Hepher restored the Carbine to its appearance during the 1930s with all the correct fitting of the time.

SOURCE

Credit Line

Purchased 2004

Acquisition Date

20 September 2004

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