1988 Brompton Frame No.703 Vintage 3 speed in Timewarp Original Condition

This is a 1988 Brompton M3E folding bicycle in genuinely original condition, built early in the mk2 production run with an 88-4 hub date stamp. It's the kind of early mk2 model that rarely survives this well. The bike has clearly seen light leisure use over the decades, and it still runs with the original Raleigh Record tyres fitted, which show minimal wear and still hold air. If you plan to ride it regularly on the road, you'll want to fit a fresh set of tyres, but the originals tell you everything about how little this bike has been used.

What makes this example stand out is how many original components remain intact. The early rear triangle design, original Rigida chromed steel wheels, and Selle Royal foam saddle mounted on a chrome extender bracket are all present. The early brake levers still have their original cables and blocks, the folding pedal is original, and there's an original front frame-mounted luggage block. The large Patents Worldwide frame decal is still there, faded in places as you'd expect. Both wheel rims remain shiny under a protective film of oil, and the gloss paint finish looks respectable throughout, with only minor marks from storage and a few careful touch-ins where the folding pedal has caught the frame. It's the kind of patina that speaks to genuine age rather than neglect.

The bike is fully functional and ready to ride. The early caliper brakes work smoothly, and the Sturmey Archer hub gear mechanism shifts cleanly through all three gears using the original SA thumb-type shifter. The gear cable was replaced because the original had become too stiff to operate properly, but the inner and outer are new. The original chain and running gear remain in excellent condition, barely worn and rust-free. Both tyres still hold air fine. The original silver plastic front mudguard is in good condition and included, though the rear was damaged and isn't available, so you'd need to source a matching replacement if you want to restore it fully.

This is a proper piece of Brompton history. The 16-inch wheels, steel frame, and side-pull caliper brakes make it a solid city bike, and that three-speed hub gear handles urban riding without fuss. Whether you're collecting early mk2 models or looking for a genuine survivor from the late 1980s, finding one this rust-free with this many original parts is genuinely rare. The bike has been carefully cleaned and checked over, but the approach has been to preserve it as it is rather than restore it, keeping the character that comes with age.