Woodrup 1979 Vintage Campagnolo Super

[seanjon13]

Came across this vintage bike from a guy who's willing to let this go for $700. Looking to make some modifications and turn this into a proper touring bike for a cross country trip. Is this a good buy?

Very Rare vintage 1979 Handmade Woodrup in absolutely like-new condition. Reynolds 531 tubing with full Super Record Campagnolo. Many special and unique high-end parts on the 57/58 cm frame.
This highly collectible bike has basically zero miles on it. Was originally built for a Canadian Cross County tour that unfortunately never happened. This bike has been a wall hanger for 40 years. Will make for a great investment, show, or amazing rider.
Included is the original bill of sale and history of the build by Kevin Sayles and Stephen Woodrup.

[John Nettles]

While that is a great bike, I personally would buy it but not alter it.  It is probably worth at least double or triple on eBay but if you alter it then the value may not be nearly as much.  Then take the money and buy a touring bike. 

Just my 2 cents.  John

[DaveB]

As a collectable that's probably a good price but it's a bad choice as bike to modify and modernize.   Most current components won't fit.  It has a 1" threaded steerer, the dropout spacing is likely 120 mm (5-speed), it certainly uses a freewheel, shifting is friction, etc.   That's fine if you are into C&V bikes but not as a modern user.  Leave it for someone who will appreciate it for what it is.

As John said, take the money plus the money you would have spent to modernize it and buy a proper newer touring bike.

[seanjon13]

Thank you for the reply, still a lot to learn on the subject. Much appreciated!

[froze]

Wow!  that's a find!  I almost bought a Woodrup in 1976 equipped the same as this bike, but I ended up getting a Trek TX900 also with 531 (can't recall the series) which I had equipped like the Woodrup and saved quite a bit of money over the Woodrup because Trek was just starting up so they had lower prices to attract people, but it came as a frame and fork however the bike shop gave me a break on the component package.  I can't remember how much I saved going to the Trek, but I think it was at least $100 which back in the mid 70's was a lot of money, that's about $476 in today's money, so it wasn't chump change.  But the Woodrup was a beautiful bike, and I kind of wished I had bought it but it wouldn't have mattered because I sold the Trek about a year after I got to buy a better car; back in those days girls could not understand why a guy had a better bike than his car! So I would have sold the Woodrup too so I could have a good car to go out with the ladies and not have them think I was a bum.

[hikerjer]

I'd definitely buy it but not alter it. Keep it as a great vintage ride around town and on day rides. It's too beautiful to mess with .

[staehpj1]

I'd definitely buy it but not alter it. Keep it as a great vintage ride around town and on day rides. It's too beautiful to mess with .

Yeah, I am with the keep it original crowd.  If you aren't in to vintage I'd either try to turn a profit by reselling it or pass on it.

You might consider riding it in original condition or with some original vintage parts swapped on a coast to coast nostalgia trip if you are in to that kind of thing.  Some would consider that a stunt though.  It would attract a lot of attention from other cyclists on a popular route like the Trans America.