O.K.,so the cats out o' the bag! There is truth to the rumor. Sally and
I were in Milano 2 weeks ago negotiating to buy the Vigorelli Velodrome.
But some one else beat us to it! Truth is that the city of Milano has sold
the Vigorelli to a private owner. Renovation has been completed to the
exterior. Original brick facade has been covered in stucco and
granite.(actractive and modern) The wood surface of the track itself will
be replaced.( nice for souvenirs huh) No racing for @ 2 years. Had to
talk my way past molto security to view the track that day as an industrial
exabition was going on. Infield full of tents, mechinery,suits.
Visited with the son of god; Alberto Masi. Been 15 years since I was
last there.He loves talken cars. Especially 12 cylinder
cars.(F_____I).Vroom Vroom Baby.
More importently: Alberto reveiled that he still has 3,000 twin plate
fork crowns! The same as papa Faleiro used early on. AND that he, Alberto
was building an "old style" (special/gran criterium?)frame for a Japanese
collector who had sent him a full nuovo record NOS in the box gruppo.
Alberto did tell me, however, that he no longer had any of the original BB
shells or seat lugs but does have head lugs.His lips to my ears. I have a
few jpegs that would be nice to post (track + shop). Dale?
ciao,
GianTindaro Pergolizzi
N.Y.C.
> Slightly OT but a real 'FEEL GOOD' story:
> We received a cool postcard from Italy yesterday, sent by our friends who
> are there for a vintage car race and concorso (they shipped their 1930's
> Bugatti over there for the race!). The postcard depicts Leonardo da
Vinci's
> "La Bicicletta" design from the early 16th century and the message on the
> back reads:
> "Greetings from Tuscany! We are enjoying every minute. We send greetings
> from Alberto Masi and John Pergolizzi (NYC). Ciao! LK + MK"
> What are the odds that our friends would stroll into Alberto's shop under
> the Vigorelli in Milano and happen to meet another American, who happened
to
> be our very own John Pergolizzi????? Incredibile!! It truly is a small
> world.
> Hope y'all have a great weekend.
> Ciao.
> Jan