THE ORIGINAL MISTRAL
The early Mistral was available in 1934 and was a copy of a Tour de France frame. This early model was gone by 1936.
See pre-war ID hints on Holdsworth Model pages
THE MISTRAL 1963-1984
Re-introduced in 1963 It was bang up to date in design and became the most successful Holdsworth road frame. It was a full Reynolds 531 butted frameset at a modest £13.19.6d and was an immediate success. It had 72o parallel angles, Prugnat “I” Type Italian spearpoint lugs and a plain, sloping-shouldered crown. These lugs were only used on the Mistral and the plain gauge Cyclone for a few years.
The 41″ wheelbase made it versatile, being suitable for time – trialing to touring, with ample clearances and safe steering. Its best feature was its incredibly strong rear triangle, its 5/8 ” seat stays fully wrapped over the seat cluster by a long tapered chamfer. It had Campagnolo forged dropouts with screw-in adjusters. It was robust, reliable and cornered well. It sold very well and effectively blew away the Cyclone and Monsoon.
1964 Mistral frameset only
1966 Mistral frameset only
Cyclone now a budget Mistral in plain gauge 531 & Agrati rear ends.
1971 Mistral frames
Mistral cycles
Cyclone
The ’71 Cyclone is a Mistral in plain gauge 531, with Campag ends as an optional extra.
1972 Mistral frames
Mistral cycles
Cyclone
The ’72 Cyclone is a Mistral in plain gauge 531, with Campag ends as an optional extra.
1982 The Lady Mistral was launched, the wheelbase increased to 41.5 in.
The mistral may have been offered in 1984 as its listed in the price list, but it is not in the 1985 catalogue.
Model Recognition Table – Mistral & Lady Mistral from 1981
| Frame Number System & Location (Repeated on fork Stearer Tube) | Pre-War Seat Lug 1963-75 Five digit under BB, 70’s High up on Drive Side 1976 Six Digit high up on Drive Side BB |
| Frame Tubing (Seat Tube ID – mm) | Pre-War Reynolds HM Aircraft 1963-82 Reynaolds 531 Butted, 1983 531 ST |
| Frame Angles, Seat/Head, (deg) | Pre-War not known 1963-83 72Deg. 1968-71 Alt. 73Deg. |
| Tube OD (Inch) – Top-Down-Seat | 1 – 1 1/8 – 1 1/8″ |
| Head Tube Lugs | Pre-War WFH Cut Away/Lightened 1963-83 Prugnat I (Italian) |
| Fork Crown | Pre-War 2 1/2″ Rake 1963-83 Sloping 2″ Rake 1968-71 Alt. Less, 1982 2 1/4″ |
| Head Set Type | Pre-War Clip 1963-83 1″ Threaded |
| Seat Lug | Pre-War WFH Cut Away/Lightened 1963-83 Prugnat |
| Seat Stay Attachment | Pre-War To Seat Lug with Cut Back 1963-79 Wrap over, 1980-83 Semi 1983 Rear Carrier Bosses |
| Seat Stem Bolt | Pre-War Nut & Bolt 1963-83 Pitch Bolt |
| Bottom Bracket Lugs | Pre-War WFH Cut Away/Lightened 1963-83 Prugnat |
| Gear Cable Run, Over/Under BB | Pre-War n/a 1963-83 Over |
| Rear Stay Length (CBB – CDO) | Pre-War not known 1963-81 17 1/4″ 1982 17 1/2″ |
| Wheel Base (Spindle to Spindle) | Pre-War 43″ 1963-81 41″ 1982 41 1/2″ |
| Rear Dropouts (Front) | Pre-War Stamped 1963-83 Campag 1010A Long |
| Rear Brake Bridge | Pre-War Straight 1963-72 Curved, 1975 Straight |
| Brake Bridge Boss – Recessed Bolt | Pre-War No 1963-83 no |
| BB Hight | Pre-War & 1963 10 1/2″ 1968-71 Alt Higher |
| Wheel Size | Pre-War 26″ 1963-83 27″ |
| Head Badge/Transfer | Pre-War Transfer 1963-75 Badge, ~1976 Decal |
| Decals & Name Plate | Pre-War W.F. Holdsworth on Downtube 1963-80 yes top tube |
| BB Cable Guides | Pre-War n/a 1963 no, 1981 Tunnels BB |
| BB Oiler | Pre-War yes 1963-83 no |
| Gear Change Lever Lugs | Pre-War no 1963-83 no |
| Rear Stay Gear Cable Guides | Pre-War no 1963-83 Top |
| TT Brake Cable Stops/Guides | Pre-War no 1963-76 x2 side, 1978 none, 1980-83 x3 Top |
| Mudguard Stay Attachments | Pre-War tabs on rear stays and fork blades 1963-83 on drop outs |
| Bottle Holder Bosses | Pre-War & 1963 no 1963-76 no, 1978-83 Yes |
| Colour | Pre-War XXX Black Enamel 1963-81 to Choice 1982 Sable Brown Pearl or Sprue Green Pearl 1983 Sable Brown or Gold Yellow Pearl |
| Chrome | Pre-War no 1963-83 not offered |
| Comments | Pre War Tour De France Copy 1963 Italian style road frame |