1976 - Bianchi Specialissima

Celeste, the unique color of Bianchi, has continued to evolve from the first inspiration of the pale sky blue of the Campionissimo Coppi era, to the recent adaptations of turquoise and fluor greens. In a sea of primary colors in the Pro Peloton or on a city street, it only takes a glance of the celeste color to know you’re looking at a Bianchi – even from distance the Celeste speaks, telling about the story of success, victories and famous racers and those eroici that will be all well remembered.

What started in 1885 in a tiny workshop in Milan went to become todays oldest bicycle manufacturer still in production, sums up to four world champion titles achieved on Bianchi Tour de France, Campione del Mondo or Specialissima bikes by racers like Fausto Coppi in 1953, Felice Gimondi in 1973, Moreno Argentin in 1986 and Gianni Bugno in 1992, the double of winning the Giro as well as the Tour at same year in 1949 and 1952 by famous Fausto Coppi and 1998 by Marco Pantani.

Those with a romantic streak believe that Edoardo Bianchi, who supplied a bicycle and riding lessons to Regina Margherita of the Savoia Royal House totally mesmerized by the striking color of her majesty’s blue eyes chose exactly her eyes color for the paint of her new Bianchi bicycle. Some say that she awarded him the right to use the royal coat of arms as the Bianchi Logo, where it has since appeared on the headtube of every Bianchi bicycle.

Those with a penchant for pragmatism believe that in  a market where color choice was largely limited to black (back than in 1895), Edoardo Bianchi delivered an unusual, iconic and enduring eye-catching color by having access to a ready supply of surplus military paint, in shades of light blue and pale grey, and from that blended paint the iconic Celeste Bianchi color origin was born.

But it could also be as simple as that Celeste is a vision of a stunning, clear Milano sky, high above the Bianchi factory.

Bottom Braket: Campagnolo Super Record
Headset: Campagnolo Nuovo Record
Crankset: Campagnolo Super Record Bianchi pantographed
Front Derailleur: Campagnolo Super Record
Rear Derailleur: Campagnolo Super Record
Shift levers: Campagnolo Super Record, milled
Brake Lever: Campagnolo Super Record
Brakes: Campagnolo Super Record
Wheelset: Campagnolo Super Record with MAVIC rims
Saddle: 3ttt
Seatpost: Campagnolo Super Record
Stem: 3ttt Bianchi pantographed
Handlebar: 3ttt
Pedals: Campagnolo Super Record

Frame tubing: Columbus SL
Fork tubing: Columbus SL

1976 - Antares

There are features that can assign a frame to a region, a city and sometimes not only to a explicitly named frame builder, but to a certain periode also.

With this find features used by a few masters are found but the origin unfortunately remains in the dark. The rear brake bridge with the integrated brake mount points to Alberto and Faliero Masi as well as to Lucino Marastoni and others. However, I have never seen shift lever bosses made that way before and the rear dropouts are also puzzling.

Some of the details seen here would even look good on a French designer.

Maybe someone knows more about this frame? Any hint and help would be highly appreciated.

1976 - Rini Wagtmann italian development aid network with Gianni Motta - Union Race Team Replica

Union was founded originally by B.J. van de Berg in Overijssel as a bicycle shop. Later on they not only sold but produced many kind of bicycle types but was only known for their version of the classic bicycle of the netherlands. Thus they aquired Jan Janssen, who was well reknown for his lightweights. When Jan en Pierre Janssen bought back the name, Union was stuck to those traditional bicycles again.

This issue changed when Rini Wagtmans became Unions sport director. He remembered his time at the peloton and his old friend Gianni Motta, who became a well known framebuilder. 

Thus Gianni was asked to build the frames for the official Union race team and later on a few more for the so called team replica.

Union in Nieuwleusen sadly was closed in 2006.

Bottom Braket: Campagnolo Nuovo Record
Headset: Campagnolo Nuovo Record
Crankset: Campagnolo Nuovo Record
Rear Derailleur: Campagnolo Nuovo Record
Brake Lever: Campagnolo Nuovo Record
Brakes: Campagnolo Nuovo Record
Wheelset: Campagnolo Nuovo Record
Saddle: Lüders Brooks
Seatpost: Campagnolo Nuovo Record
Stem: 3ttt
Handlebar: 3ttt George Sorel leather wrapped

Frame tubing: Columbus SL
Fork tubing: Columbus SL

1976/77 - Peugeot PXN-10/E

Every year the munich lovers of classic lightweights meet in Oberammergau . This year we had a solid rainy day and did only fleemarket and conversation and i´ve got this lovely complete original Peugeot PXN-10/E. I bought it from Peter Hopf - the bikebaron man - who got it from the fist owner since new.

This famous Tour de France approved modell is equipped with the following components:

Bottom Braket: Stronglight Competition
Headset: Stronglight Competition
Crankset: Stronglight Mod. 93
Front Derailleur: Simplex Super LJ
Rear Derailleur: Simplex Super LJ 1000
Gear Levers: Simplex Prestige Criterium
Brake Levers: MAFAC
Brakes: MAFAC Competition
Wheelset: Maillard 700 Team Professionel, MAVIC clincher rims
Freewheel: Maillard Special Course 5-speed
Saddle: Ideale 2002
Seatpost: Gipiemme
Stem: Philippe Competition
Handlebar: Philippe Professionel

Frame tubing: Reynolds 531
Fork tubing: Reynolds 531