gitaneusa.com :: View topic - 1988 Machine

Gtane

Here's a lovely Reynolds 531 1988 machine for sale. It looks to be period correct regards components but it's hard to say for sure as the image is not that great. It could be a mix of equipment. As in the title of the post, could it be the Exploit or Vainqueur judging by the style and tubing although it's not clear if the bike is 531c or p? That was my guess.

http://www.leboncoin.fr/sports_hobbies/126783272.htm?ca=7_s

No connection, just spotted it.

Tim

sandranian · Site Admin

Wow. Nice machine for a steal. If only it were my size...and I lived in France....

verktyg

Tim,

Reynolds 531p (or Professional) had the 531 characters in red while 531c were still in green.

Of course they would be in French on a Gitane. Wink

Gtane

Thanks Chas,

Stephan, where there's one there's sure to be another and in your size too.

Tim

Peter S. Horn

Whoa! Gorgeous bike. We all realize that the French domestic, German, British, Australian and U.S. etc. models differed somewhat. The decaling and trim, plus the bottom brake cable entrance and exit, seem quite close to those of the ultra-exotic U.S. 1988 Team Replica; (Reynolds 753 /C-Record). However, if the tubing is 531C (as Chas. indicates), I do not see an equivalent in the French or U.S. catalogues. This example appears to be closer to the U.S. 1988 Exploit, although that latter model was equipped with Reynolds 531P. The Red or Blue Vainqueur, for that year, came with a Reynolds 531C tubeset.
Peter H.
Gitane 653 (Replica 11)
Gitane Altec 11 (F.D.J. Replica)
Definitive-Gitane "Dream On" or "The One" - Early 2011

Gtane

Peter,

Thanks for the info.

It would be great to see it on the forum. It's sadly too large for me but it has crossed my mind simply because of its scarcity. It looks to have the pantographed stem. Condition appears to be superb, not to mention the drive side 3/4 chromed chain stay and 1/4 seat stay.

Tim

Peter S. Horn

Tim,
You are certainly welcome. The components are really hard to see from this angle. However, I also notice that the brakes are not the C-Record Deltas, therefore, eliminating (further) this example (we, virtually, eliminated the U.S. and French Exploits and Vanqueurs) from the Team Replica. Its a real mystery. I wonder if it could be a U.K. market model!
Cheers,
Peter H.

verktyg

During the late 80s, Peugeot made market specific models for the domestic French market plus the UK, Dutch, Canadian and US markets, probably other places too.

Some times they used the same model name but with totally different components and frame materials. For example, this 1988 Avaris model for the UK market had a Reynolds 531p Professional frame with Shimano 105 components. The "same" bike in Canada with the colors had a Reynolds 501 frame and low end Shimano components.

I suspect that Gitane probably did the same kind of marketing.