The longest lived Holdsworth model, a Cyclone was offered almost continuously (not 1964) from c1934 to 1976, although the variants changed enormously in design.
In the 1930’s people usually bought a complete cycle, it was relatively rare to buy a frame alone, as the 1934 catalogue indicates. The Cyclone was only offered as a Path racer in 1934, it shared the top of the range spot with the Mistral and Sirocco.
1938 The Cyclone is now a Road Cycle or available as a frameset only.
1939 This is a 1939 or 1940 Cyclone. pic courtesy of Peter Bainbridge.
1949 full 1949 Catalogue Cyclone (bike) is at the bottom of these pages
1950 full 1950 Catalogue
1951 The Cyclone was Road or Track frameset only. full 1951 Catalogue
1952 The Cyclone (Road or Track) was offered as a frameset or cycle, in gents or ladies versions.
1952 was the last year of the Track version. The Zephyr was launched in 1952 and takes over.
Pics courtesy of Tony Vespuccio
1953 The Cyclone was offered as a frameset or cycle, in gents or ladies versions.
1954 The Cyclone was offered as a frameset or cycle, in gents or ladies versions.
In the 1955 catalogue (produced late 1954?) the Cyclone gets Nervex Pro lugs and the new headbadge. Campag ends are an optional extra. It was offered as a frameset or cycle, in gents or ladies versions.
1957 Nervex Pro lugs and fluted top-eyes, Agrati ends with integral gear hanger. Campag ends are an optional extra. Cycle or frameset.
1958 full 1958 Catalogue
Some Zephyrs also had Nervex Pro Lugs in this year
The 1959 Cyclone (probably launched c Nov 1958) dropped the Nervex Pro lugs for a new, very ornate style made in their own workshops (see below).
1960 full 1960 Catalogue
1961 The Cyclone was top of the range with the Zephyr, but they are now road and track versions of the same frame, quite unlike the previous Cyclone. As usual the Cyclone has 71o seat and 73o head angles, but it is available 72o parallel for massed start racing.
This version of the Cyclone soon ended, there was no Cyclone in 1964, but a new version followed quickly.
1966 The Cyclone is now a budget Mistral. It has Reynolds 531 Plain gauge frame tubing, the forks and seatstays may be a lower priced material. It has Agrati rear dropouts. Available as 5 or 10 speed, or frameset only. Colour: chestnut flamboyant with copper contrasts.
1968 Still a Mistral but in Reynolds 531 Plain gauge main tubing, the forks and seatstays may be a lower priced material. It costs a lot less than the Mistral, even if ordered with Campy ends. Colour: Dark green flamboyant with white and orange contrasts.
1971 Still road only and now frameset only. Campag ends are available at extra cost. Colour to choice.
1972 The Cyclone is unchanged. It still uses Prugnat “I” Type lugs like the Mistral, the same fork crown and geometry. Colour to choice.
The Cyclone was offered in 1975, but was dropped from the range by (or during) 1976.