1935 Speedwell Price List

[Johnj]

I've just purchased a 1935 Speedwell brochure. It is chock-full of interesting info for Speedwell collectors and gives a really good idea of the price-points for bikes, not to mention the kinds of equipment available in the mid-1930s.
Full size images available here.

[rideon]

thats awesome, put me down for a royal olympic with the fancy nickel plate finish option!

[bigfriendlyvegan]

Wonderful find John and thanks for sharing. Just out of interest, and for comparisons sake, what was the average wage in 1935?

David

[stackyard59]

Well done JJ,Note the detail in the factory exit ,as well as the Villiers two speed option and the S/A fixed two speed option.

[Johnj]

Wonderful find John and thanks for sharing. Just out of interest, and for comparisons sake, what was the average wage in 1935?

David

Average adult male wage was about 80/ (£4) for a 45-hour week. This had declined from about £5 per week in 1930. So the Popular roadster was about 2 weeks wages (equivalent to roughly $2400 today) and the most expensive racing bikes about 4 weeks ($4800). These conversions are a bit problematic, because families normally had only one income, housing costs were lower, consumer goods were much more expensive, and disposable income was lower. Nevertheless its clear that buying a new bike was a serious investment of cash at this time.

[bigfriendlyvegan]

Wonderful find John and thanks for sharing. Just out of interest, and for comparisons sake, what was the average wage in 1935?

David

Average adult male wage was about 80/ (£4) for a 45-hour week. This had declined from about £5 per week in 1930. So the Popular roadster was about 2 weeks wages (equivalent to roughly $2400 today) and the most expensive racing bikes about 4 weeks ($4800). These conversions are a bit problematic, because families normally had only one income, housing costs were lower, consumer goods were much more expensive, and disposable income was lower. Nevertheless its clear that buying a new bike was a serious investment of cash at this time.

Thanks John, just what I was looking for. As the brochure says, the bike was the cheapest and easiest means of travel to and from work. Still true for many people, if only they'd realise it.

David

[Penduick69]

Hi John,

Thanks for providing me with information on the bike. I did write the serial number down but misplaced it. The bike is in an old train wagon down Jervis bay (holiday shack). But I have taken pictures viewable via link below.
http://m1295.photobucket.com/albumview/albums/penduick69/photo_zps815dcc9c.jpg.html?o=0

Next time I am down will get serial number. I picked it up in Manly. I don't know if the bike is in it's original condition. I suspect not as tyres look modern and everything still works.
cheers
Antoine