This is a vintage 1939 Gambles Hiawatha balloon tire bicycle.  The Hiawatha's were built by a few manufactures, including Cleveland welding.  This bicycle was built by Shelby.  Similar to a flying cloud, this bicycle is all original, including the paint.  The red has faded and oxidized somewhat, but has not rusted out.  The white is not exactly brilliant white either.  This bicycle has a great arrow shaped "Gambles Hiawatha" headbadge, with excellent color and a sweet streamliner train depicted on it.  The orange and green of the badge are still visible.
The gothic style fenders have a few dents and scratches, but the ends and edges are in decent shape.  The chainguard is in good shape also, but has a dent on the top near where the seat tube is.  The blackwall Allstate tires are in great shape but don't hold air very well - long enough to realize that the rear hub needs to be overhauled as the brake doesn't really brake anymore.  Exciting test ride.  Should have tightened the stem too.

The red paint is actually in decent shape.  The white though, is a not quite as nice.  Its cracking and more tan than white.  Several scratches on the bike, more paint missing on the white than the red. 

Missing:  front light, truss rods, tank, rear stay mounted center stand, rear fender mounted light?

Measurements:

Seat Tube - 19"

Top Tube - 23"

Stand-over Height - 31"

Specifications:

Seatpost - straight post, steel

Saddle -  springer style saddle, tan top, showing rust under the seat, and the top needs to be recovered - its rideable though

Stem - steel quill stem, quill style steel stem, stem looks about flat due to the -7d angle (aprox), not much chrome left

Handlebars - 26" cruiser style, not much chrome, black Hunt Wilde grips in ok shape

Headset - missing fork truss piece

Crankset - steel one piece dogleg crankarm with Shelby skiptooth "web" design chainring

Pedals - Wald block pedals, worn but usable

hubs - Morrow Eclipse coaster brake hub, needs a rebuild, marked I-4, - worn New Departure front hub
rims -  original steel dropcenter rims, painted to match, rear is in true while the front has some egg to it.  good paint with very little rust

Skiptooth drive train

Serial #757082

Reference #36564