1978 Peugeot PY10CP 'Prestige'

An ultra-rare, one-owner, PY10CP 'Prestige Peugeot' - the bike on which Bernard Thévenet won the 1977 Tour de France - dating from January 1978, in metallic silver, purchased new by its original French owner Jean Spitz. It was imported into the UK, by myself, during 2023.

This particular machine - as with all other 'Prestige' models - was hand-built to special customer order at Peugeot's 'Atelier Prestige' workshop which was separate from the main factory at Beaulieu, near Valentigney, in France. The workshop was headed by the experienced Raoul Jeand'Heur and just eight skilled craftsmen. Each bike took a minimum of three months to be made.

For the years 1977 and 1978, Reynolds 531 SL - red label - tubing (5/10mm) was utilised with brazed on brake caliper mounting bosses (front and rear) and including custom filed...to remove the mudguard eyelets...Simplex forged dropouts.

1978 was the final year that the particular, traditional, decal scheme (my personal favourite) shown on this bike was used. For 1979, a newer, more modern looking, decal scheme was introduced which then continued until 1983.

The cost of a complete bike was dependent on the final equipment specification (restricted to French parts only) chosen by the customer on the dedicated order form. However, the average list price in 1978 was around £500.00 GBP (£3,700 GBP in 2023); $1,000.00 US ($4,700 US in 2023); 4,500 FF (4,290 Euros in 2023).

Very few (red label 531 SL) PY10CP 'Prestige' examples have survived from the years 1977 and 1978, and those that do survive are tightly held and highly prized by their owners.

This particular example retains its original paint and decals (although there are some paint touch-ups here and there) and, aside from tyres, is equipped with all its original specification components - including one or two super-rare optional items...a Stronglight D6 head set and hard-to-find 'Maillard 700' 28 hole front and rear hubs, with corresponding Super Champion sprint rims.

The total weight of the bike (minus the optional 'lightweight' upgrades) was 10.40 kg (22.88 lb).

Prestige Peugeot (PY10CP) Specification

Frame

Sizes: 52 cm (20.5") to 64 cm (25.25") in 1 cm increments.

Tubing: 0.5 mm Reynolds 531 SL throughout (except down-tube at 0.7 mm).

Lugs: Nervex Italian style cut-outs.

Bracket Set: Nervex.

Rear Ends: Simplex with threaded adjusters.

Rear Brake Mounting: Brazed on bosses.

Cable Eyes: Brazed on front and rear derailleur cable stops.

Lever Mountings: Brazed on shift lever mountings.

Bottle Carrier Fixing: Brazed on fittings on down-tube

Forks

Blades and Column: 0.5 mm Reynolds 531 SL

Crown: Nervex sloping crown.

Ends: Simplex.

Front Brake Mounting: Brazed on bosses.

Head Set

Stronglight Super Competition S5 or (optional) Stronglight Extra-Light D6 (D6 fitted).

Chainset

Stronglight Type 105 bis, Silver anodised (53 - 38).

Wheels

Hubs: Maillard 700 Professional "Team Issue", 28 hole - front and rear - forged dural.

Rims: Super Champion, 28 hole, sprint rims.

Spokes: Double-butted chrome plated.

Fixing: Simplex Quick Release (red dot type).

Tyres: Peugeot Professional (Hutchinson GTX80 Corsa currently fitted).

Freewheel: Maillard 700 6-speed alloy spockets on a lightweight body.

Transmission

Chain: Sedis Silver 'Sedicolor'.

Derailleur: Front - Simplex SLJ A 500;

Rear - Simplex LJ 4000 T (Delrin) or Simplex LJ 5000 CP/SP (latter fitted).

Shift Levers: Simplex SLJ retro friction - solid design type.

Bottom Bracket: Stronglight 651 or (optional) Stronglight 650 'Titane' (651 fitted)

Saddle

Seat Pillar: Simplex SLJ 4164 or (optional) Laprade 606.

Saddle: Ideale 2002 or (optional) Ideale 2002 'Titane'.

Handlebars

Bend: Philippe Professionnel.

Stem: Philippe Atax (Peugeot labelled) forged dural.

Finish: Black or white 'Tressolux' tape.

Brakes

Levers: Mafac drilled levers with natural rubber hoods.

Brakes: Mafac Competition mounted on brazed on bosses.

Pedals: Maillard 700 RA.

Toe Clips: Christophe 'Z' Special - zycral finish.

Straps: Christophe Competition 'Z' 496 leather (tan) - zycral quick release.

Pump: Zefal 'Z', chrome finish, plastic pump.

Bottle Cage: T.A. alloy cage (ribbed first edition).

Bottle: Peugeot lion logo design (1975-1978).

Colours (1978 only): Metallic Silver, Pearl Sky Blue, Pearl Yellow, Pearl White, Pearl Silver.

Price (in 1978): Approx. £500.00 GBP (£3,700 GBP in 2023).

In response to a number of queries questioning the quantity of 'Spidel' stickers used on my PY10CP. The following photographs depict original, surviving, 'Spidel' stickers used on a number of other high-end Peugeot models (PX10, PY10C and PY10CP) manufactured between 1977 and 1978.