Ex Philip Troman (Saracen Road Club) https://www.facebook.com/saracenrc/

A custom 21” road race frame built for Philip Troman, the brother of my friend Dennis, who used it to good effect in circuit and criterion racing. A shorter wheelbase than normal at this time to help with agility on tight courses like the Dartmouth Park circuit close to Major’s shop in which he specialised.

The long undrilled spearpoint lugs (Prugnat Italia) tell us it is likely to be an Italia model. Reynolds 531DB tubing with a fully sloping fork crown which is one of the first used by Major. As quite normal in the period there are only brazeons for the BB front gear guide and a chainstay cable guide but there is a centrepull chainstay bridge and a full wrapover seatstay top and reinforced curved seatstay brake and curved chainstay bridges. Under the refinish are half chromed forks and rear half stays.

The refinish is by Tommy Godwin. It looks far better in the photos than reality as there is a lot of nasty patination which will be difficult to improve. The equipment appears to be at or close to time appropriate using a Campagnolo Record gear train, headset, hubs and pedals and the unusual Stronglight 63D Professional chainset, Mavic rims on LF Record hubs, Mafac brakes and levers with demi-hoods on the now uncommon M Kint Maes bars on a GB stem, Brooks Professional saddle and a very well worn plain aluminium seat pin! All is in need of a great deal of TLC presently.

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