Harry Hetchins began building bicycle frames in 1935. The company continued until 1985, making but a few hundred bikes a year (when bought out by Bob Jackson) Their frames were some of the best crafted and most ornate frames ever made. Today, they are some of the most sought after collectable British bikes. They were renown for the ornate lugwork and “curly stays” of their more ornate models like the Magnum Opus. But they also offered this “italia” model with more conventional and understated lugwork reminiscent of classic italian frame designs.
Mitch Pines had this and a second Hetchins made to order for he and his wife. They traveled to London to pick them up in 1974. He apparently did not ride it much. When he passed away, it sat untouched in a cellar for 16 years. We bought both Hetchins from his children in 2025.
Under all the dirt, the bike was completely original and like new. We cleaned and polished everything. We added new Continental tubular tires, bar tape and lever hoods and a few other minor bits. In the end, it looks like it just rolled off the showroom floor.