American Arrow

http://charlotte.craigslist.org/bik/3891621746.html
Rare Vintage American Arrow Road Bike- Dura Ace & Simplex - $225 (Concord- Exit 54)

Very rare 53.5cm American Arrow Mark II-a road bike. This is the "Made in Germany" version, not the cheaper one that was made in Belgium. It is early 70's, not sure of the exact year. The Mark II-a uses Shimano Dura Ace brakes and brake levers, (hard to find flat bar lever is still on the bike), Simplex friction derailleurs, Rigida wheels with screw on quick release hubs, original Coureur saddle in perfect condition. Bike has original tires too, but I'd recommend replacing them. Rear tube just gave up, but front is still holding air well. I'll probably pick up a tube for the rear and install it in the next day or so.

Frame/paint are in great condition, a couple scratches but no dents/rust etc. Wheels are in great condition, braking surfaces are nearly new. Bike rides and shifts great, (before the rear tube popped), geometry is much like a vintage Italian road bike with a "longish" top tube that's comfortable and really accommodating for a wide range of riders.

If you're looking for a cool vintage bike you can't beat this one. it gets a lot of attention for both it's rarity and it's condition.

It's hard to find a lot on these bikes and he says pretty much what you can find.  These bikes were made in West Germany or Belgium with a mix of parts and ironcally called American Arrow.  He's presenting this as a high end bike but I think it's probably closer to mid/mid low range.  Stem shifters, big chunky lugs, pie plate, steel cottered cranks.  The frame is probably a heavier gauge too.  He's making a point of the Dura Ace brakes but this actually predates Dura Ace as a full group, so it's difficult to take these as the same commodity.  The center pull version with a safety lever indicates it's the cheaper version of the part, not the side pull race brakes that would've been on the highest range of bikes. 

It's a hideous bike with cheapish stuff on it.  The drop outs look like they're made out of potato chip.  But, it is an uncommon bike and I'm intruiged by the long top tube.  I need a long top tube to be comfortable on a bike and if you're like me the comfort of stretching out adds value to a frame.  Certainly not enough value, the bike is about $100 overpriced for my taste, but it's something to consider.