1 of 14

Rare Itera Plastic Bicycle 1981 for Volvo

$4,800List Price

About the Item

In response to the 1974 oil crisis, a small group of Swedish engineers obtained government funding to develop a bicycle completely composed of fiber-reinforced composite plastics (FRP). By 1980, the Itera Development Center AB was designing, producing, and marketing injection molded plastic bicycles to a seemingly interested market. However, when the first bicycles were delivered in 1982, the problems with quality assurance and design began stacking up against the company. Following the IKEA model, bicycles were delivered unassembled. While this may have saved on production costs, not every box contained every part, which upset many customers. Furthermore, the plastic parts broke easily and replacements were hard to come by. With slow sales and many unhappy customers, production ended in 1985 after approximately 30,000 examples were made. The remaining unsold stock was sold to Caribbean region countries where the plastic bicycle became a popular solution to rust-prone medal bicycles. This bicycle has been described as heavy, flexible, and fragile, and is considered one of the worst bikes ever made! The Itera bicycle at West Somerset museum, is known as a 'great failure of bike design' but has its place in cycling history.An innovation which appears good on paper but turns into a commercial fail: this is the story of the Itera bicycle developed by Volvo. Substituting metal with plastic was the peculiar idea of a Swedish designer. In 1978, funding was released for this composite plastic bicycle project by a Swedish organisation, The Swedish National Board for Technical Development. In 1980, a functional prototype was produced and in 1981 the first models were presented to the press and to the retailers. In 1982, the bicycle models manufactured in a factory in Wilhelmina (Sweden) appeared on the market. Made of composite material with injected fibreglass stick rims all tinted in the mass along with polyamide wheels, the Itera is equipped with 3-speed Sturmey-Archer derailleur in the hub, including the dynamo, an anti-theft key, and an XM9 Iscaselle saddle. The bike was delivered unmounted in a cardboard box, but there were complaints from purchasers about missing pieces or tools for the mounting. There were many reasons for the failure of this model including difficult maintenance, lightweight structure and replacement and replacement parts becoming out of stock to name a few. Plus, the Itera presented a certain fragility depending on the climate: if it was too cold, the frame could break and it was unbalanced. In reality, the perfect concept wasn’t quite so perfect: nothing could replace the good old metal frame. The Itera wasn’t the commercial success hoped by Volvo. The production ended in 1985 after approximately 30 000 copies and Itera became a collector’s item. The Itera is on display in hall 3 of the Museum and is on loan from a private collector.

Creator:
Volvo (Manufacturer)
Dimensions:
Height: 45 in (114.3 cm)Width: 70 in (177.8 cm)Depth: 24 in (60.96 cm)
Style:
Scandinavian Modern (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques:
Plastic
Place of Origin:
Sweden
Period:
1980-1989
Date of Manufacture:
1981
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use. All original.
Seller Location:
Hudson, NY
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU847322214402

Vintage 1980s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sports Equipment and Memorabilia

Materials

Metal, Chrome

Bicycle Model Midcentury Design "Itera" Plastic for Volvo, Sweden

$3,921 Sale Price

20% Off

H 45.28 in W 70.87 in D 23.63 in

Rare Vintage Dutch Tandem Bicycle by Burgers

Located in Montreal, QC

Rare Vintage Dutch Tandem Bicycle by Burgers including a Tajindia Rolex oil bicycle lamp. Measures: Seat height in front 36 in. seat height in the back...

Category

Vintage 1930s Dutch Sports Equipment and Memorabilia

Materials

Steel

Rare Vintage Dutch Tandem Bicycle by Burgers

$3,850

H 48 in W 97 in D 21 in

Rare Hi-Lo Collapsible Modernist Bicycle by Cleveland Company MDT

Located in Buffalo, NY

Rare Hi-Lo Collapsible modernist streamline bicycle by Cleveland Company,, M D T,, Amazing design and condition, bike comes apart for easy compact transport and storage, Retains all ...

Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Sports Equipment and Memorabilia

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Rare Hi-Lo Collapsible Modernist Bicycle by Cleveland Company MDT

$1,180

H 37 in W 56 in D 20 in

Children s Bicycle, circa 1930

Located in Hamburg, DE

This small children's bicycle from the 1930s has probably already put a few smiles on some children's faces. These days it doesn't really want to be taken out for a ride anymore, alt...

Category

Vintage 1930s European Art Deco Toys and Dolls

Materials

Metal

Children s Bicycle, circa 1930

$229 Sale Price

40% Off

H 26.38 in W 18.51 in D 31.5 in

Rare 1960s Space Age Floor Ashtray in Orange Plastic and Chrome

Located in San Benedetto Del Tronto, IT

A rare and authentic 1960s Space Age ashtray, this sculptural floor-standing piece highlights the bold experimentation with plastics that defined the era. Crafted in glossy orange pl...

Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Space Age Tobacco Accessories

Materials

Metal

Rare 1960s Space Age Floor Ashtray in Orange Plastic and Chrome

$717

H 55 in W 18 in D 18 in

Rare Set of Four Mercury Glass Plastic Christmas Ornament Vintage, 1910s

Located in Nuernberg, DE

A rare Christmas ornament set from Germany or Austria. Each is made from mouth blown glass, the 4 mushrooms with wire are made of plastic and are younger age, this would be a great a...

Category

Vintage 1910s German Folk Art Historical Memorabilia

Materials

Wire

Rare Set of Four Mercury Glass Plastic Christmas Ornament Vintage, 1910s

$180 / set

H 4 in W 2 in D 2 in

Gianni Versace Pure Parfum Miniature 7.5 ml, Rare 1981 with Original Box

By Gianni Versace

Located in Benalmadena, ES

Original vintage perfume from the 1980s: the very first women’s fragrance launched by the Italian fashion house Gianni Versace Parfum (Extrait), in its rare 7.5 ml / 1/4 fl oz splash...

Category

Vintage 1980s Italian Models and Miniatures

Materials

Glass

Gianni Versace Pure Parfum Miniature 7.5 ml, Rare 1981 with Original Box

$334

H 3.15 in W 2.56 in D 1.58 in

Women s Leather- Covered Bicycle Natural

By Bottega Conticelli

Located in Milan, IT

More than a method of transportation, this women's bicycle is a collector's item. Covered in hand sewn leather, it will make a striking impression no matter where you go. It can withstand all weather conditions due to its water-resistant, natural wax coating and acquires a unique patina over time. A matching, handwoven basket...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sports Equipment and Memora...

Materials

Leather

Women s Leather- Covered Bicycle Natural

$5,060 / item

H 39.77 in W 67.33 in D 24.02 in

Vintage Astronomical Almanac: Celestial Insights for 1981, USSR, 1J137

Located in Bordeaux, FR

Embark on a celestial journey with this vintage astronomical almanac titled "Астрономический календарь на 1981 год" (Astronomical Calendar for the Year 1981), originating from the US...

Category

Vintage 1980s Books

Materials

Paper

Vintage Astronomical Almanac: Celestial Insights for 1981, USSR, 1J137

$53

H 0.79 in W 4.73 in D 7.88 in

Fantastic Plastic Machine

Located in London, GB

Original US film poster for the 1969 documentary following a group of surfers. This film starred Skip Frye, Mike Purpus and Steve Bigler. It was directed by ...

Category