Carlton Clubman 1959
British Lightweight Heritage
Carlton was one of Britain’s most respected lightweight bicycle makers, producing hand-built racing and club bicycles from its Worksop factory. By the 1950s, the marque had established a reputation for beautifully constructed frames and accomplished machines for the serious club cyclist.
The Clubman belongs firmly to that tradition. This 1959 example arrived remarkably complete, but decades of use and storage had left the original orange finish heavily worn and corroded. The brief was simple: return it as closely as possible to how it would have looked when new.
The Restoration
The bicycle was completely dismantled and the frame stripped back to bare metal, allowing the corrosion to be properly addressed before refinishing. The distinctive orange paintwork was carefully recreated, together with original-style transfers and period detailing.
Chrome and alloy components were restored and polished, with original parts retained wherever possible. Mechanically, the bicycle received a complete overhaul, with components stripped, serviced and rebuilt before the Carlton was carefully reassembled and set up in our workshop.
The Result
The finished bicycle reveals just how striking the Carlton Clubman would have been in 1959. The vivid orange frame, contrasting detailing and polished metalwork restore the crispness and elegance that had gradually disappeared over more than sixty years.
Importantly, it still feels unmistakably like the same bicycle. Nothing has been unnecessarily modernised or reinvented. Instead, the restoration allows the craftsmanship and character of the original machine to shine again — a beautiful example of Britain’s golden age of lightweight club cycling.
Start your restoration
hello@bellsbicycles.co.uk
0203 355 0108