WHAT CAR IS THAT BIKE????

Ok, so the other day, just as I was

just putting the finishing touches on

my 1975 Raleigh Competition Mk II.

My mate Max strolls past and says "you keeping this one?"

with a slight disdain in his voice.

Yes I am, I quickly shot back in defense,

I was a little on the defensive, as you would be.

"Kind of dweeby don't you think?" he replied, just as as quickly.

Well yes I had to admit
  that this was kind of true I guess, but.....

and it was at this point, that I had to explain to Max

my theory of "What car is that Bike?", which simply

put, works as follows....

Nearly all bikes of character have an equivalent

car, usually from the same period, country and purpose.

But these rules don't always apply, and can broken
by passionate and persuasive argument.

So using this theory, I will explain why the

Raleigh Competition MK II model DL 165

is the Sunbeam Rapier Fastback.

First of all the the Sunbeam Rapier wasn't

really a super cool car to have at the time, however

it was cooler than an Avenger (which wasn't hard).

The Competition probably wasn't all that cool either

in it's time, but was way better, than say a Carlton Corsa. 

They where both marketed at a buyers that wanted

a sporty,quick,fairly well balanced machine, with European flair,
that could be used everyday without to much hassle, 
and maybe even help to pull the ladies.

Both are products of the late sixties-mid seventies.

 Lastly both these machines have aged well, and I 

think both could now be considered quite cool ....

well in the right company that is.

So if anybody has their own 

"What car is that Bike?", send me your 

photos and reasons why they work, and I will

post them on the blog.

The only requirement is that you have to 

own an example of the bike.

adrian@theflyingwheel.com