A frame has turned up with fancy lugs, a vertical tube similar to a Flying Gate, Cantiflex tubing, and a seat tube and seat cluster one can only describe as 'peculiar.' It was advertized for sale at ebay as a "unique Hetchins." Two letters were attached, ostensibly authorizing a certain Vernon Liddell to contract someone else to build a "replica 'H' special for his own personal use."
Editor's comments:
First: This geometry, especially the back end, is indeed unique. But a Hetchins it is not. No Hetchins was ever made with this geometry. Nor is it a Baines Gate, nor is it a T.J. Cycles Flying Gate.
Second: No Hetchins was ever made with this lug set. This too is 'unique.'
Third: While it is true that one Hetchins is known to have been made with Cantiflex tubing, and one T.J. Flying Gate is known to have been made with Cantiflex tubing, this frame is not either of them.
Click here for Hetchins/Bates hybrid.
Fourth: Any frame builder may cut fancy lugs and invent a new back end format. But whoever sprayed this frame had no authorization to put Hetchins transfers on it.
A letter from Lew Difford, writing on behalf of Jake Riviera, reproduced below, ostensibly authorizing the construction of this frame, explicitly states that the frame is not to be (re)sold as if it were a Hetchins. It is, in the considered opinion of this Editor, a replica or a tribute frame--that is the least derogatory euphemism I can think of to describe it. A Hetchins it most certainly is not.
For the reader's amusement, I append David Miller's terse comment on this frame:
What is this, Flash ? It's an abortion that's what it is !
I have NEVER seen before, or been involved in building such a horror of a frame.
No doubt now it is for sale on ebay, I will be receiving emails regarding the 'authenticity'.
Whoever is selling it didn't have authority to refer to permission from Hetchins for the build.
I certainly remember Vernon Liddell from York. I did visit him when I was at the York Rally in 1994. He ran a B&B establishment and also collected cycling memorabilia, some rare pieces as I remember. I've no idea what happened to him, I would imagine he is cycling the clouds now.
The 2 letters are self explanatory, but as far as I am aware, nothing ever came to fruition.
David Miller , 2.7.2026
So, the late Mr. Liddell collected interesting cycling memorabilia--among his items was this Flying Farrago.
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