The Chrome Bike

Well, after fruitlessly searching the internet, trying to luck up on a picture which would solve the mystery of the chrome cruiser I found at the Junque Yarde, I gave up. Then, it suddenly occurred to me that I have a shelf full of actual books (remember those?) for reference.

So, I pulled out The Evolution of The Bicycle, edited by Neil S. Wood. This is a book full of pictures of collectible bicycles, from collectors across the U.S. It only includes American bikes, but it is a great source of cruisers, muscle bikes, highwheelers, etc. On page 177, there is a picture of a rather deluxe version of my bike, including a motor-driven front wheel.

The mystery was solved. The bike is a Murray-built Sears Spaceliner. Designed by Viktor Schreckengost, a famous designer of such various items as mid-century modern lawn furniture, the first mass-produced American dinnerware, the cab-over truck (!) and fine pottery, the Spaceliner was supposed to invoke the Space Age with it's swoopy lines, modernistic gas tank/headlight, and all-chrome frame.

Sadly, Schreckengost died on February 4, 2008, at the age of 101.

The stock version.

The bike was also produced in painted form, both as the Spaceliner and the Murray AMC VIII.

I think it's going to make a nice Street Rod bike.

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