Why didn’t I see this bike two years ago? I could have saved a lot of money on the restoration of a not-as-nice example. This 1960s Mattel Stallion Bicycle is both heavy and heavy, man, in 1960s lingo. It’s listed here on Facebook Marketplace in Lemoyne, Pennsylvania, and they’re asking $500. Arrrrgh, what a steal! Here is the original listing, and thanks to Chuck F. for the tip!
Our own Michelle Rand showed us a 1966 Mattel Stallion bike almost three years ago here on Barn Finds, and I ended up buying that one. Most of you know that I then blew my retirement savings (well, not exactly) on restoring it, or one like it, but one in much better shape. I had a project in Houston, TX, and I picked up the bike that Michelle wrote about. It ended up being a total bust, a rusty bust. The rear shocks really do work, but even at my skeleton-like weight, I’m a bit heavy for these bikes, and the seat is literally as hard as a rock, so there’s no padding whatsoever.
I don’t mean to yammer on and on about my restoration project again, but hey, if we see a Camaro, Corvette, or Mustang that one of us has restored, we yammer on and on about it, and this was on a tiny scale compared to restoring a car or truck. For the record, I probably would have paid $100+ just for that original reflector that’s shown in the photo above. They are not out there anywhere, and I had to default to a regular round reflector. (Bonus points to anyone who can find one without having to buy an entire bike and then also paying $800 in shipping)
This bike is in absolutely incredible condition, I really wish I had seen this before buying my somewhat rusty one that needed to be fully re-chromed, at a scary cost. This bike is one that looks like some #0000 steel wool could have brought it back to life again and saved me $2,000. Seriously, Chuck F., why didn’t you send in this tip two years ago? Just kidding. As Michelle mentioned in her great (as usual) article, the Stallion came out in 1964 and was widely considered the first BMX-type bike, with working rear suspension. They are heavy little suckers, though, and this one appears to be original right down to the pedals and grips. The top-of-fender decals look faded (they should be red), but man, what a great bike this is for anyone interested in these things.
I wrote about the extensive (for a bike) restoration of mine here on Barn Finds, and I still ride it, a little… very slowly… in the storage facility… I go on and on about it in that article, so no need to bore yourselves to tears again. The coolest part is the little plastic noise-maker “engine” that I found on eBay, still in the original box. I may take it to our annual Antique Motorcycle Club of America show this June, as the theme this year is “catalog motorcycles”, and they thought it might be a fun thing for folks to see. I’m in the process of restoring another little oddball right now that has a mini bike theme, for the same show. If I can get it done, I won’t be riding that one, I’m a bit big for it. Are any of you into restoring non-car/truck vehicles, like bikes?
Restore old non car/truck vehicles? A friend of mine and his wife restore/race old motorized railroad carts!
Hey, we love RR items here on Barn Finds, Nevadahalfrack! That’s very cool.
Fun article Scotty and an interesting find by Chuck F.
This is terrific Scotty, great find Chuck and a great write up too Scotty. I know you spent money restoring yours, but you have the satisfaction that you preserved a somewhat rare piece of history. ( there can’t be many left, especially not in the condition of this one, or yours. It needed to be saved and you saved it. You can be proud of that.
Thanks, Driveinstile and Nevadahalfrack!
I’ve restored a few old racers, what we called 10 speeds back then and I feel you. Old bikes don’t hurt the wallet like old cars but vintage Campagnolo prices will widen your eyes.
I spent and still spend most of my time turning pedals on the road but knew a lot of BMXers. I never saw this bike. It is clean and looks straight and that’s most of the fight.
It might be a killer deal, but posted 3 weeks ago.
You’re right, sir, it’s only a killer deal if someone wants it. Or, if some moron (who shall remain nameless) paid $2k to restore a worse example when they could have gotten this one and $4 worth of #0000 steel wool instead.
In my town ( Eastern KY ) The Schwinn Sting Ray was the first ” Banana bike” to hit the showrooms here.
Been a BMX bike collector since early 80’s. Even had a “BMX only” bike shop in early/mid 90’s. Have owned/sold nearly every brand of BMX bike from Little Johns, A&A, Webco, Champion, Cooks Bro’s, R&R, G-Boy et al. 100’s of BMX bikes to date. This isn’t considered a “BMX” bike.
I will say it’s very, very nice! I would love to add it to my now small collection. But, as far as being a true early “BMX” bike. It ‘s not. This is a very trick for its time, cool kids bike. Like a stock Sting Ray or Raleigh Chopper. That being said, it’s very nice.
cold340t did you own/sell any Norcos ? 🍁 the Spitfire or top of line Starfire BMX?
Norco’s were being sold at another New/used shop near mine. They had the earliest Norco franchise I’m aware of. Don’t remember their BMX bikes. Just MTB bikes.
There were so many Brands that came and went during that time I didn’t bother with them. I focused on Boss, GT, Auburn, Cyclecraft, Brackens, Alfameq, Champion, Ruest, GHP, Quicksilver, Badd Racing, S&M etc. Still looking for a Chameleon out of Napa. I’ll have to look up those Norco’s on BMX Museum site.
Most guys seeing that double top bars might get a bit nervous. One bar was a crotch buster. Oh yeah, there it is, stopped the action for a minute, it did. Growing up, chrome was the ultimate gee-gaw. I remember at Moreway Automotive, a sign said, “If not won’t go, chrome it”, and we did. Chrome for years was considered the ultimate vehicle enhancement, more the better, look at a ’63 Ford Galaxy for heavens sake, or any GM, chrome was everywhere. Our Packard had stuff chromed you didn’t even see. It was only natural it would make its way into bicycles. Never saw’r one. Bike frames were made to be painted, and an entirely chrome bike was unheard of, on my block anyway. We’ve talked about how detrimental chrome plating was to the environment, and practically non-existent today. Come to think of it, there isn’t ANY chrome on my Jeep, oh wait, the lug nuts are chrome. A far cry from the 50s/60s.
Chrome lug nuts, fancy! I just noticed my wife’s car (Crosstrek) has one old, rusty lug nut next to all the other 19 shiny chrome lug nuts. Thanks, Subaru dealer. They must have lost one when they rotated the tires a few months ago, and I never noticed it until yesterday.
Quite a bike. Don’t remember ever seeing one. We’ve always had bikes of all kinds.We presently have a pair of 20″ present day choppers for cruising the neighborhood. In the early ’80s I had need for something I could use to go into race track paddocks and do technical inspections. Found a bike in a pile of leaves at a friend’s house and built a narrow, small bike that a grownup could ride. Still use it occasionally when the big cart gets cranky.
You have more skill than I ever had or ever will have, Bob. That’s one cool custom ride!
Thanks. It’s good for short runs but you don’t want to go a long distance on that narrow seat. For the sake of my flat butt we replaced it with this made out of an old go kart.
I’d be in for a tour of your shop anytime, Bob! You’ve got some cool creations for sure.
I got a Schwinn sting ray for Christmas 65,and had to have a Vroom motor to put on it .Went to work with Ma at a deli,and tlold her I needed 5 bucks and a stop at PepBouys on the way home.She said she doidnt have 5 bucks,but people dropped money in the store sometimes.She said “sweep the floors” and you might find it.Surre enuff,there it was.Thank you,Ma.Happy belated Mother’s Day.I miss you. Sorry for spelling,my (x) stopped working just now
I posted this the other day but I sold my 80’s Hutch Pro star clone for $6400 in 2021.
I never saw a Stallion before, I saw that one and searched BarnFinds, sure enough, Scotty G had written about one he bought.
I’ve been a Schwinn fan since the 60s, but never had one as a kid. My brother bought a new Apple Krate in 1970 that got stolen, we found the perp, and he had to buy my bro a new bike. Unfortunately, Schwinn was out of Stingrays, except for the unique Stingray Runabout, a 3 speed 16 inch space saver, you drop the seat and bars and it takes less room. My bro had the shame of riding a wierd looking bike.
I made a replica of an Apple back in the 80s, used a 69 frame and original or repro parts, and it’s a decent rider, I think I even got a trophy for it. I also found a lemon Peeler and a Orange Krate, lot of other bikes. I recently found a brown Runabout similar to my brother’s.
The ultimate Stingray Krate came out in late 1972, and only made until the end of 73, it had a rear disc brake, and they go for pretty good $. I got one last month, an Apple Krate.
Yesterday I went 6 hours to Staten Island NY to pick up a 1958 Black Phantom, and stopped in Morristown NJ on the way to pick up a bike repair stand. That’s as close to NY City as I want to get, I saw it across the water. Terrible road trip through Philadelphia to NJ, and crazy traffic jams in Staten Island. But the Phantom is in nice, original shape, cool Delta WInner headlights and tail lights, bonus! Check ot thecabe.com for all things in old bikes, I’m 55chevy on there.
The bicycle while cool looking weighed half again as much as a Stingray or a Columbia, couple that with the short length pedal cranks the rider got one helluva workout on a longer ride
I think you’re right, John, it is incredibly heavy for such a tiny bike. A 6′-5″ tall lanky goofball (me) pedaling that thing is a sight I hope nobody else ever sees.
dont remember that as the seat, do remember higher handle bars…
Both incorrectly I assume. 60+ yrs can mess w/a 73 y/o’s memory tho~
Interesting post.