I picked this old Raleigh up this morning. It seems an ideal oddball bike with which to tool around the neighborhood.
The seller thought it was a 1958 but the date code on the Sturmey-Archer hub says the hub was made December 1953. I think that given packaging, shipping, & the holiday season if it is the original wheel the bike was likely made in 1954.
The seller also threw in an extra leather saddle. It's not Brookes but looks like a copy of a Brookes saddle.
I am beyond chuffed. Time to do some mechanical work (bottom bracket, clean and grease the hub, headset, etc). I cannot wait to take it out once ready.
by Thangleby_Slapdiback