for sale: 1963 Girls Schwinn Spitfire (advice needed)

[thespian.livejournal.com]

I have the bike above, and I'd like to sell it; while I adore it as a bike, my size and frame means I really need a more modern bike with the opportunity to change a few things (like adding a really good gel seat and such).

Now, I know that several of the stores around here buy bikes, but I don't know which would really want this lady. The serial # dates her to 1963, she has her own original paint job (you can see her lines here, but this person totally IMHO, trashed the bike with this spray paint job). She has a tiny big of rust where a bike chain was wrapped around under the seat and wore the paint down, but it is otherwise solid and in amazing shape for nearing 50. When I got her I went through and cleaned her and fixed her spokes and all sorts of maintenance issues.

The going price for her seems to be about $375-$400, but I'm expecting that I can't get that out of one of the used places around here. But since I don't have a car, I can't really haul her around to every single bike place around here and ask for a price, comparison shop it, then take it back to the best offer.

Has anyone around here had experience selling vintage bikes? I'm willing to take her anywhere from Union to Teele but don't want to haul her around on the MBTA.

Comments

[schpahky.livejournal.com]

He's are a hike from Somerville, but the dude who runs Ferris Wheels in JP is one person I've met who really understands and loves old bikes. You might want to give him a call and see what he says.

[smoterh.livejournal.com]

Why don't you try to sell it on Craigslist? This way you can set your own asking price and you don't have to haul it - buyers will come to you.

[talonvaki.livejournal.com]

Wow. I had one like that when I was a kid...1970 or so. Mine was metallic purple.