schwinn black phantom

The Schwinn Phantom

The Schwinn Phantom was truly a classic and anyone who had one was the envy of the neighborhood. Today they are still desirable objects and the Phantom remains a collectors favorite and is probably the most restoed and treasured Schwinn around. Below you will find images and what Schwinn said about the Phantom in their catalogs year by year...

The finest, most complete bicycle in the world.

1950 Schwinn Phantom

Luxury equipment, includes chrome fender, cycelock, spring fork, special colors, and many other outstanding Schwinn exclusive features. Don't miss this bicycle at your dealer. Ask to see.

• Schwinn for boys Model B-17

See the full 1950 Schwinn catalog .

The most beautiful bicycle in America!

1951 Schwinn Phantom

• Model B-17 26-inch

The Phantom is the finest balloon- tired bike in the big Schwinn line!

Look at these features built into America's most beautiful bicycle! The famous Schwinn patented cantilever frame, chrome plated fenders, Schwinn spring fork, Schwinn Cycle-lock, automatic stop and tail light, chrome-trimmed tank, chrome rims, and genuine leather saddle. Get all this and more as standard equipment on the new Schwinn Phantom -- guaranteed against theft loss for one year. Available in many attractive color combinations.

Specifications

• Frame Electro-forged, exclusive Cantilever construction, fully streamlined, removable seat post clamp.
• Fork Schwinn patented spring fork with built-in Cyclelock.
• Crank Set Drop forged high carbon steel, triple heat treated cups and cones, turned from fine grain bar steel, chrome steel balls, two point ball bearing races.
• Rear Hub Standard coaster brake.
• Front Hub Schwinn built with removable bearing cups.
• Handlebar Stem Schwinn gooseneck from drop forged steel.
• Handlebar Chrome plated, SB 26 x 8.
• Kickstand Patented dust and rattle proof construction.
• Chain Guard Embossed design, secured directly to frame.
• Head Set Schwinn built, turned from special fine grain steel, triple heat treated cups and cones, chrome steel balls.
• Tank Embossed design, chrome trim, with self contained horn unit.
• Fenders Chrome plates, extra wide, reinforced, rigid semi-tubular braces. Rear braces attached directly to frame.
• Head light Schwinn built, streamlined, self contained fenderlite.
• Luggage Carrier Streamlined with built exclusive stop and tail light.
• Tires Schwinn Typhoon Whitewall 26 x 2 1/8" cord balloon.
• Rims Schwinn built, tubular chrome plated S-2.
• Saddle Schwinn approved Deluxe, top grain leather.
• Reflector 3 1/4" Stimsonite approved reflector.
• Pedals Schwinn approved Deluxe, finest quality.
• Shipping Weight 67 pounds.

Juvenile model of America'f finest Bicycle!

• Model J-37 24-inch

The Superb design of the 26-in. Phantom built into a 24-in. model!

Newest addition to the Schwinn family- the dazzling 24-inch Phantom - truly America's most beautiful bicycle! Just like it's "big brother", it has the famous Schwinn patented Cantilever frame, chrome plated fenders, Spring Fork, Schwinn Cyclelock, chrome trimmed tank with built-in horn, Rocket Ray headlight, built-in kickstand, and many other outstanding Schwinn Quality Features. Available in many attractive color combinations. Fully protected by the Schwinn Guarantee.

If you want the finest balloon-tired bike money can by, here it is.

1952 Schwinn Phantom

The most beautiful bike in the famous Schwinn line, the Phantom is champion of them all- with deluxe features and complete equipment to thrill the heart of every boy.

"My new Phantom sure is a beauty- all the fellows say it's the swellest-looking bike in town!"

• 26 inch Boy's model B-17

See the colors: Coach Green and Black, Light red and Black.

You've never seen such a bicycle! Completely equipped with every accessory imaginable to delight the eye of every youngster. Finest Schwinn craftsmanship throughout. The proudest achievement of three generations of experience in designing and building fine bicycles makes the Phantom the most wonderful bicycle any boy can own!

• Sturdiest construction, patented cantilever frame
• Best quality fittings and equipment throughout
• Beautifully Finished in sparkling colors and chrome trimmings
• Guaranteed against loss for one year- against defeat As-Long-As-You-Own-It.

See the full 1952 Schwinn catalog .

With complete equipment to thrill the heart of every boy!

1953 Schwinn Phantom

My new Phantom sure is a beauty-all the fellows say its the swellest-looking bike in town!".

The Phantom is the finest balloon-tired in the Schwinn line!

• Sturdiest construction,patented cantilever frame
• Schwinn quality fittings and equipment throughout
• finished in sparkling colors and chrome trimmings
• Fully protected by the Famous Schwinn Guarantee

You've never seen such a bike! Completed equipped with every accessory imaginable delight the eye of every youngster. Finest Schwinn craftsmanship throughout. The proudest achievement of three generations of experience in designing and building fine bicycles makes the Phantom the most wonderful bike in any boy can own!

Schwinn Phantom for Boys 7 to 10...

Juvenile model of America's fines bicycle! This dazzling 24-in. model has the famous Schwinn patented Cantilever frame, chrome plated fenders, Spring Fork, Schwinn Cyclelock, chrome trimmed tank with built-in horn, Rocket-Ray headlight.

• 24-inch model No. J-37

See the full 1953 Schwinn catalog .

"My new Phantom sure is a beauty-all the fellows" say it's the swellest looking buke in town"!

1954 Schwinn Phantom

Nothing in the world like it! Schwinn Phantom is the most beutiful bike you can own!

The most beautiful bike you can own!

You've never seen such a bicycle! Completely equipped with every accessory imaginable to delight the eyes of every youngster. Includes Spring Fork, Cyclelock, stop and tail light, chrome trimmed tank, cantilever frame, whitewall tires, genuine leather saddle, chrome fenders.

• 26-inch size Boys W-19
• 24-inch size Boys W-29

One year theft protection-free

See the full 1954 Schwinn catalog .

The Phantom is the most famous balloon-tired bicycle in the world, with beautiful styling and lavish equipment.

1955 Schwinn Phantom

Boys 26-inch model b19.

The Cantilever frame, chrome-trimmed tank, spring fork, chrome fenders with built-in fenderlite and genuine leather saddle make the Phantom the best bike money can buy.

SPECIFICATIONS

FRAME- Schwinn balloon cantilever, girls balloon. FORK- Schwinn patented spring fork -- no Cycelock unless ordered extra. REAR HUB- Coaster brake. CARRIER - Streamlined -- no stop and tail light unless ordered extra. FENDERS- Chrome plated, extra wide. SADDLE- Deluxe, top grain leather. RIMS- Schwinn tubular S-2, chrome. TIRES- Schwin Typhoon whitewall.

Colors: Red with black trim, black with red trim, green with black trim; also two-two tone blue on girls model only.

Shipping Weight lbs. BOYS GIRLS SIZE DESCRIPTION BOYS/GIRLS

• B19 B69 26-inch Phantom 67 / 67

See the full 1955 Schwinn catalog .

Most beatiful bike in the world!

1956 Schwinn Phantom

Spring fork, chrome trimmed tank with electric horn, chrome fenders, built-in fenderlite, genuine leather saddle, whitewall tires. Boys and Girls 26" models.

Colors: red with black trim, black with red trim, green with black trim-also two-tone blue in girls model only.

1957 Schwinn Phantom

• Balloon tired model with all these luxury
• Spring fork
• Chrome fenders
• Built in Fenderlite
• Chrome trimmed tank with electric horn
• Genuine leather saddle
• Whitewall tires
• Boys 26" Model

Colors: Black with red trim red or green with black trim.

See the full 1957 Schwinn catalog .

Most famous balloon model a perennial.

1959 Schwinn Phantom

Phantom deluxe spring fork balloon model..

Features; Spring fork, Schwinn Cantilever frame, tank with horn, built-in Schwinn Fenderlite, two – tone colors, extra-wide chrome fenders, rear carrier, whitewall balloon tires, large saddle. Coaster brake only.

Phantom models for boys

Shpg. No. Size Description Wt, Lbs.

• B19-1 26 inch Coaster (Mark IV) 62 ½

See page 30 for other coaster brakes, equipment options and how to order. Color: Radiant Red and Black, Radiant Green and Black and Red.

All specification subject to change without notice.

See the full 1959 Schwinn catalog .

Back to Schwinn Bikes .

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I ♥ Schwinn, but this website is not affiliated with Schwinn.

Schwinn Black Phantom

“My new Phantom sure is a beauty — All the fellows say it’s the swellest-looking bike in town.”

Sure is the swellest.  Built between 1949 and 1959, Schwinn Phantoms were the most bodacious, luxurious, and feature-filled bicycles on the road.  There was the deluxe leather saddle, the patented spring fork, built-in horn, streamlined tank, Schwinn fender lights and an automatic brake light, an integrated lock, kickstand, and a luggage rack.  “The most beautiful bike in the world” included whitewall tires, pinstripes and sparkly paint, with chrome all around.

Chrome fenders with lights built in

The tank has a built in horn

Phantom chainguard and paint detail

These bikes were so coveted and awe inspiring that no kid would even consider riding the Black Phantom on his newspaper route.  The bike was the prize that two years of saved route money bought in the first place!  The Phantom was the ride for sunny days and impressing the other guys in the neighborhood.  This wouldn’t end up a “work” bike, that job would still belong to the rusty old Roadmaster in the garage.

Black Phantom bike production was discontinued in 1960.  Balloon tire cruisers had lost favor with America’s youth, and the increasing popularity of “English Racers” (the generic term given to any bike that had thin tires and a few different gears) meant that Schwinn’s 67 pound Phantom was too heavy and inefficient for modern tastes.

“Fenderlite” and “stoplite”

The Swellest!

Schwinn-approved Black Phantom bar stool

This particular Black Phantom is a reproduction from 1995.  Schwinn didn’t overlook a single detail when they brought this one back for a limited production run (and an even smaller run of Phantom bar stools).  The chrome is just as thick, the saddle is still “Schwinn Approved”, and the pin stripes are as sharp as ever.

This bike is as swell as an original.

Schwin Black Phantom – The 11 Years Of Rich History

The Schwin black phantom was indeed a work of art and still is a marvel today. In the collectors’ world, this creative innovation is considered the most treasured item, and much of it is restored and significantly valued worldwide.

Well, most of you might know that the Schwin black phantom was continually produced between 1949 and 1959. Something that we will be taking a deeper look at in this article. Before we jump to it, you should note that later productions involved various color, features, and purpose changes. But we will talk about all that in another blog.

Today, we will be walking you through the great history of the Schwin black phantom. Let us dive in.

The Schwin Black Phantom History

1949 – The earliest recorded production of the first Schwin black phantom

1950 – Production of model B-17 for young men with luxury features that included a chrome bumper, variety of colors, cyclelock, and spring fork, among other exceptional exclusive features.

1951 – Production of the 26-inch phantom model B-17 featuring the famous Schwinn cantilever outline, chrome-covered fenders, spring fork, cyclelock, auto stop-tail light, chrome rims, and leather saddle.

1952 – Productions of the 26-inch model B-17 for boys that came with inflatable balloon tires, special provisions, durable construction, and complete hardware to excite them.

1953 – Production of the 24-inch Schwin black phantom model J-37 for boys aged 7 to 10. It included the famous licensed Cantilever outline, chrome-based fenders, spring fork, cyclelock, rocket ray front light, and built-in horn.

1954 – Production of the phantom models W-19 and W-29 that featured a spring fork, cyclelock, automatic tail light, chrome-made tank, whitewall tires, cantilever outline, leather saddle, chrome bumpers, and up to one-year theft assurance guarantee.

1955 – The 26-inch Schwin black phantom model B19 was made, and it featured the already famous cantilever frame outline, chrome tank, spring fork, chrome bumpers with fenderlite, and leather saddle.

1956 – Advancements to the unisex models featuring a spring fork, chrome fenders, electric horn, whitewall tires, leather saddle, and built-in fenderlite.

1957 – Improvements to the model B19 but still had whitewall balloon tires and chromed tank with an electric horn.

1959 – Production of the last Schwin black phantom model B19-1, commonly known as Coaster or Phantom deluxe spring fork balloon model, was 26-inches.

Final Thoughts

That is it for our Schwin black phantom coverage. We have covered all the basic history of every phantom model over the years. Given the real growth in demand for the famous phantom bikes, you should be very cautious when buying or dealing with anyone selling a restored Schwin phantom bike. Consider checking for 1955 serial plates if you want to buy genuine ones, as a rule of thumb.

There are a lot of restored phantom bikes in the market, and some are not even phantom models to start with. If you are not new to the biking world, you can look for the spring fork used on the restored version. The original versions mainly used a non-locking fork that is not reproducible, and it supports different fenders. Otherwise, here is why Schwinn is a good brand. Good Luck!

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Dave's Vintage Bicycles

Research and identify american made vintage and antique bicycles from the 1880's through the 1980's., 1949 schwinn black phantom.

First year of production 1949 Schwinn Black Phantom serial #f28xxx. This bike was restored in 1998 using original and NOS (New Old Stock) parts. the Forewheel brake and stop lite are NOS. The seat is the correct Messinger B1 Deluxe for this year.

Entry Submitted by Steve Mc Cann

[click thumbnails for full size image]

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Schwinn Phantom

The Schwinn Phantom was truly a classic and anyone who had one was the envy of the neighborhood. Today they are still desirable objects and the Phantom remains a collector’s favorite and is probably the most restored and treasured Schwinn around.

Showing 1–15 of 23 results

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