THE ORIGINAL SIROCCO
See pre-war ID hints on Holdsworth Model pages
The original Sirocco is in the first Holdsworth catalogue in 1934 for that year only. Special designed frame in Reynolds HM Aircraft tubing built for racing.
THE SIROCCO 1951
The Sirocco returns in the 1951 catalogue and again described as being the best of everything. Here too it is for one year only and then renamed the Whirlwind.
1951 Sirocco Full 1951 Catalogue
THE WHIRLWIND 1952-1958
The Whirlwind was top of the range so offered as frameset only. People buying top end models usually want to specify their own kit, or spread the expenditure.
The 1952 Whirlwind was the 1951 Sirocco renamed. For this year alone, the Whirlwind had ‘Sirocco’ style lugs. I wonder if Sandy discovered that the Sirocco should be Scirocco, so changed it’s name to Whirlwind?
1952 Whirlwind Full 1952 Catalogue
1955 or 1956 The 1953-56 Wirlwind lugs are very distinctive. Some such frames with track rear dropouts have surfaced, so perhaps a track variant was available in 1956. Also shown on Catalogue cover.
1956 frameset
The 1957 & 1958 catalogues say the Whirlwind has a new lug style, as part-shown on the cover.
1957 frameset, Catalogue
1958 Catalogue
1958 was the last year of the Whirlwind
Model Recognition Table
| Frame Number System & Location (Repeated on fork Stearer Tube) | |
| Frame Tubing (Seat Tube ID – mm) | |
| Frame Angles, Seat/Head, (deg) | |
| Tube OD (Inch) – Top-Down-Seat | |
| Head Tube Lugs | |
| Fork Crown | |
| Head Set Type | |
| Seat Lug | |
| Seat Stay Attachment | |
| Seat Stem Bolt | |
| Bottom Bracket Lugs | |
| Gear Cable Run, Over/Under BB | |
| Rear Stay Length (CBB – CDO) | |
| Wheel Base (Spindle to Spindle) | |
| Rear Dropouts (Front) | |
| Rear Brake Bridge | |
| Brake Bridge Boss – Recessed Bolt | |
| BB Hight | |
| Wheel Size | |
| Head Badge/Transfer | |
| Decals & Name Plate | |
| BB Cable Guides | |
| BB Oiler | |
| Gear Change Lever Lugs | |
| Rear Stay Gear Cable Guides | |
| TT Brake Cable Stops/Guides | |
| Mudguard Stay Attachments | |
| Bottle Holder Bosses | |
| Colour | |
| Chrome | |
| Comments |