Angeles Tricycle

From Tricyclefetish.com/angeles:

In 1958, Claude Tindell set out to build a tricycle which could stand up to the rough-and-tumble use of a nursery school. He opened a tiny shop in Los Angeles and sold his heavy duty trikes out of the back of his van.

Gradually, Angeles trikes became known throughout California as the trikes that would last almost forever. He developed other products and expand his product line. Some of these, such as the Wagon, became popular and are still produced. Others, such as the "Bug," never caught on and are part of history.

As the business grew, the demand exceeded Claude's resources and he sold his interest in Angeles Nursery Toys to Don Mitchell, and ultimately to Ross Sackett, a former CBS executive.

Sackett expanded Angeles into national distribution so that its products were available all across the country. It was during this period, 1978-1984, that school supply dealers began carrying Angeles trikes. (Prior to this, all sales were direct from the factory to customers)

In 1984, Ray Kelly decided to leave his position as Vice-President of Sunmark and enter the field of educational equipment. He acquired Angeles with the intention of building a higher quality company by setting new standards for product quality, service, manufacturing, marketing and innovation.

The Pacific plant was opened in 1986 with 15,000 sq. ft. and 8 employees. As the new standards began to have their effect, business grew and output was expanded. In 1988, the Los Angeles plant was too small to support the sales, and it was closed.

Angeles, now Angeles Group, has grown steadily in terms of products, facilities, people, and most importantly, in customer trust, by sticking to the basic original principles: Angeles will provide unique, high quality products which serve the user's needs better than anything else available. We will back these products with the best service in our industry.

So here's the next project in the clean 'em up or throw them out line up - the Angeles tricycle that the missus drug home last year. This baby is really cool. Built like a tank. It won't take too much to make this one a mover. Sandblast the handlebars/forklegs and paint them up. Same with the wheels. A little lube on the bearings or new ones as the case may be. New handgrips and it's a keeper. A couple of pinstripes would look right at home, also. I'll see if I can press Surly into service for that.

I'm not sure what the hell I'm going to do with all these things when they're done. It's just amazing that they're getting done.