Putting a year to a Sunshine bike involves guesswork as there is no year code like CCM bikes have. The first year of production is thought to likely be 1946 but no one knows for sure as of yet. The last year was 1953. The serial numbers were sequential throughout the entire 7 or 8 year run. The lowest number found so far is 01022, and the highest is 44303. We cannot assume that the same number of bikes were produced each year as it may have taken time to ramp up production or for the brand to get recognition in the market. Serial # 19884 places it somewhere in the middle, maybe around 1949 or 1950 as the best guess.
I've seen conflicting dates for the start of bicycle manufacture, ranging from the mid-1930s through to the late 1940s. The earliest reliable date that I have is 1949. The last year for bicycle manufacture was 1954.
I think they were making children's vehicles in the '30s but don't know when they added bikes. Postwar seems the consensus but have nothing to go on. How did you find the 1949 info?
Circa 1927-1959, the Canadian government issued annual reports on the nation's bicycle industry. These reports included a list of companies manufacturing bicycles. Sunshine was only listed in the reports for the 1949-1954 calendar years. While it's possible that the company was manufacturing some bicycles prior to that, the volume may have been insufficient to warrant inclusion.
I'm working on a chart that compiles all the manufacturers listed in these reports by active years. It should be complete shortly and I'll be opening a new topic thread in this sub-forum.
I bought 2 girls ballon bikes from sisters and they are the original owners. Serial nember ))2724 has a Bendix rear hub and serial number 017719 has a Perry rear hub. They were bought in 1949 or 50 and 1950 or 51.
I bought a boys maroon balloon serial number 006492 from the original owner. He had the shop install from new S-A front drum brake stamped 49 and rear 3 speed drum brake stamped 50.
I believe 1949-54 as correct years for Sunshine manufacturing bicycles.
The following is from a 1953 Sunshine catalogue.
You can tell him the Jones saddle on his bike is a Canadian patented design and was made in Stratford Ont.
If he can tell us the serial number from the frame, we can tell him the approx. year it was made.
The serial number is 019884.
Putting a year to a Sunshine bike involves guesswork as there is no year code like CCM bikes have. The first year of production is thought to likely be 1946 but no one knows for sure as of yet. The last year was 1953. The serial numbers were sequential throughout the entire 7 or 8 year run. The lowest number found so far is 01022, and the highest is 44303. We cannot assume that the same number of bikes were produced each year as it may have taken time to ramp up production or for the brand to get recognition in the market. Serial # 19884 places it somewhere in the middle, maybe around 1949 or 1950 as the best guess.
Thanks Mark & Brian that's great information for this gentleman to have.
I've seen conflicting dates for the start of bicycle manufacture, ranging from the mid-1930s through to the late 1940s. The earliest reliable date that I have is 1949. The last year for bicycle manufacture was 1954.
I think they were making children's vehicles in the '30s but don't know when they added bikes. Postwar seems the consensus but have nothing to go on. How did you find the 1949 info?
Brian,
Circa 1927-1959, the Canadian government issued annual reports on the nation's bicycle industry. These reports included a list of companies manufacturing bicycles. Sunshine was only listed in the reports for the 1949-1954 calendar years. While it's possible that the company was manufacturing some bicycles prior to that, the volume may have been insufficient to warrant inclusion.
I'm working on a chart that compiles all the manufacturers listed in these reports by active years. It should be complete shortly and I'll be opening a new topic thread in this sub-forum.
I bought 2 girls ballon bikes from sisters and they are the original owners. Serial nember ))2724 has a Bendix rear hub and serial number 017719 has a Perry rear hub. They were bought in 1949 or 50 and 1950 or 51.
I bought a boys maroon balloon serial number 006492 from the original owner. He had the shop install from new S-A front drum brake stamped 49 and rear 3 speed drum brake stamped 50.
I believe 1949-54 as correct years for Sunshine manufacturing bicycles.
Walter
Just picked one up today. It was already yard art so I don't think I am going to restore it.
serial 011??? Numbers unreadable.