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jeep44

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here's a CL bike I picked up a few miles from my house for $50 yesterday-it's a 1970 (?) Vista Rover, made by Columbia. There is very little information on the web about these, other than a thread here, and another at Schwinnbikes.com. This one is totally original, right down to the 'Vista' branded tires and grips.

S6000697.jpg
 
TheFlyingDingo said:
Nice!

Are you from machigan?

That looks familiar
Click to expand...

I'm in Canton Twp.-I got it from an older man living a few miles away after I saw it on yesterday's CL-it had a vintage folding child seat on it-all steel, no seat belt. He had a girl's bike he was keeping. Due to medical problems, he couldn't swing his leg over this one any more, but he was sad to see it go. He took care of it well.
 
Yeah, I got the 'eye' from my wife today when she saw me polishing a new bike-I told her I found it at a yard sale :lol: I really don't have room either, but it was cheap, close, and fairly rare, so into the truck it went.
 
I also really like that green-I think I will eventually paint one of the bikes I got from you a similar green. The seller told me that two others had emailed about it after me-one from Livonia, and one from Plymouth. It wasn't you,was it?
 
blackdiamond said:
i know its an old post but does any one know where these are made? :D
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Made in the Westfield factory in Massachusetts as far as I know, though some may have been made in japan also. They launched the Vista name as a direct competiton for Schwinn. That green one is very close to a Schwinn Typhoon. I've heard the quality isn't as good as other westfield bikes. You can probably find out more at Mr. Columbia's site! -Adam
 
Here is a list (and link) to some Columbia date codes, if you can locate the serial number, and it was before 1972, might be able to figure it out
Columbia Serial Numbers

1936 A5429 - A266083
1937 B5000 - B195407
1938 C5000 - C130896
1939 D5000 - D156044
1940 E5000 - E168879
1941 F5000 - F213132
G5000 - G17433
1942 G17434 - G112858
1943 G112859 - G195135
1944 G195136 - G200000
W5001A - W85244A
1945 J5000 - J114781
1946 K5000 - K256116
1947 L5001 - L313474
1948 M5001 - M345445
1949 M345446 - M525640
1950 N5000 - N59606
R5000 - R182877
1951 R200000 - R539588
1952 R659514 - R804246
1953 R804247 - R855423
W5000 - W21799
1954 W21800 - W376443
1955 A5000 - A197956
1956 C5001 - C105020
1957 C105021 - C288230
1958 D5125 - D199613
1959 E5000 - E273125
1960 H5000 - H259120
1961 K5000 - K205465
1962 L205466 - L425743
1963 M425744 - M617828
N617829 - N624001
N5000 - N26183
1964 N26184 - N370693
1965 N375000 - N817898
1966 R100000 - R464982
1967 R464982 - R842814
1968 R842814 - R987209
S5000 - S331191
1969 S331193 - S767191
1970 S767191 - S950093
W5000 - W242733
1971 W242733 - W752146
1972 W752146 - W803303

https://www.cardiffbikeshop.com/datecodes/columbia.htm
 
Thank you. I xant find it. There is a number on the frame near the rear tire. But its had to see. Its either R033225 or it may be an A. But I odnt believe that is the serial number. I looked underneath where most Serial numbers are supposed to be and there is nothing there. Its in great shape. Most parts are all original except the seat and I am looking for one. Im not sure if it originally had a black one or white one. Also I believe the tires that were original were white walled ones. These aren't. But the seat on it is old and in perfect shape but I would like to have the square type one that originally came on it. The bike is red and not sure it i want a white or black seat. I think maybe white and then get the tires with the white too. Here is a picture of it.
20220808_125434.jpg
 

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