Help identifying bike

[dezt]

So, i've just bought a new house with my wife and we have found an old looking bike in the garage and I was wondering if anyone here had any knowledge of old bikes. From the paint job it looks like a Mercian Olympique, it has a Campagnolo front derailleur which looks old. I have managed to find one serial number on the bottom of the bike which has Nervex written above it, but I can't see any others.

 

From the photos does anyone have any ideas if it is what it looks like, or where I might find any other serial numbers?

 

 

 

[MW_NetSupport]

The company are still in business, might be worth dropping them an email and seeing if they can help.

 

https://www.merciancycles.co.uk/

[Ditto]

It could be a custom build - certainly an interesting company and a proper vintage bike. Have a look on ebay for sold prices for "Mercian" - it might surprise you.

[dezt]

I've emailed Mercian and they've told me the 2 places to look for a serial number, the bike does appear to be quite old as some of the parts have come back from google as being from the 70's, such as the brakes below. MAFAC Dural Forge brakes.

 

Edited July 28, 2020 by dezt

[Dos_Box]

Nice find! There is a big market for retro bikes in good condition, so please ensure you don't 'clean' it too much so you can preserve the original paint and decals.