Retro purchase

[BoRED S2upid]

I've recently picked up this beast from an old boy in work who wanted rid of it. It looks in pretty good nick he's upgraded the gears and it's got new brakes and very little rust. The only bit that does let it down is the paint. Trouble is would I ruin it by getting it repaired or should I keep the patina as it is? It's a Holdsworth.

[uncinqsix]

The paint looks fine in the pic. I'd just enjoy it as is and not worry about it. The paintwork on my roadbike is considerably worse, with big flakes missing showing the bare carbon underneath. Just part of the fun of owning an old bike.

[Gruffy]

The patina is part of the charm. You can't buy character like that.

[ro55a]

I very much doubt that's the original colour scheme for a Holdsworth, I may be wrong but it looks far too flashy for such a traditional brand such as Holdsworth. It's probably deep metallic burgundy underneath.

[Matt_N]

Have a look through here: http://homepage.ntlworld.com/nkilgariff/Models.htm to see if you can match it to any models on there, the lugs will be one of the key identifiers, but yeh I agree that's not an original paint scheme.

They tended to paint in one colour, my Dad still has his 1982 Elan in a lovely light metallic blue.

[BoRED S2upid]

Thanks guys I will do some research and ask the guy who I bought it off if he knows a) how old it is, b) what model it is, and c) if it's had a respray.

I never thought for one moment it was anything other than original the paint certainly seems old.

I will report back if I get anywhere.