Does anyone know what year this Torpedo is?

[Redd Rockett]

I just picked up this Torpedo but there is no serial number on it anywhere. Can anyone identify what year it might be?

 

[Wildcat]

That bike was made by Columbia, and the serial number will be on the left dropout. Their numbers were small and lightly stamped so it's hard to see at first. I have a list that shows what year by the number.

 

[Redd Rockett]

Okay thanks! I'm going to go look at it again right now.

That bike was made by Columbia, and the serial number will be on the left dropout. Their numbers were small and lightly stamped so it's hard to see at first. I have a list that shows what year by the number.
View attachment 232069

 

[Redd Rockett]

Okay thanks! I'm going to go look at it again right now.

Okay got it! The serial number is: C154030

 

[Redd Rockett]

I got the serial number

 

[Wildcat]

1957!

 

[Redd Rockett]

1957!

Great, thanks! I looked up the Columbia bicycle serial number chart but I was confused because it said 1956- C5001 and C105020 and 1957 was C105021 and C288230. But there was no C154030.

 

[Redd Rockett]

I appreciate the help very much from a member who helped identify the year of my Torpedo as 1957. I'm just confused by the numbers on the Columbia serial numbers chart. The serial number on my bike is: C154030. The chart says: 1956: C5001 and C105020. Then for 1957 it says: C105021 and C288230. I just wondered if someone could explain this? Thanks.

 

[Wildcat]

Instead of starting a new set of numbers with the new year, Columbia decided to keep the sequence going into the next year. Most bike companies began the new year back at zero. Why they did that is a mystery to me, they didn't stop at a certain large number to begin the next letter.

 

[Redd Rockett]

Instead of starting a new set of numbers with the new year, Columbia decided to keep the sequence going into the next year. Most bike companies began the new year back at zero. Why they did that is a mystery to me, they didn't stop at a certain large number to begin the next letter.

Thank you so much for your help, I appreciate it.