Anybody able to tell what this is?
I can't figure this one out. Its a ballooner with AS Springer fork.
I can't figure out the number to determine the year.
Thank you.
You should be able to see the letter better by cleaning it up. A 2 digit year on the crank will verify the year. And also the original color should show on the inside of the bottom bracket and inside the head tube. There's not much catalog from 1949, so it may be a Phantom or an Autocycle.
You could make it a rat on the cheap. Have your bro-in-law get an old 26" beach cruiser, and transfer the wheels and handlebars right over. Or get some cool wheels and tires. You might need to buy a chain. Put a seat pad on the old seat, it looks pretty solid. A cleaning of the frame will bring out the paint and there you go! I have a 53 but the paint was gone when I got it in 1979, otherwise it would have been a perfect rat.