Greg Gagliano wrote:
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> Which brings me to my next topic - does a market exist for reissues of classic frames? Cinelli still makes the Super Corsa, but what if they made it in limited numbers, using old graphics/artwork, with choice of 120, 126 or 130mm rear dropout width and constructed by only select group of "master" builders at the factory. Same goes for other famous frames like the Peugeot PX-10, Gios Super Record, etc. Is the market too small for such a venture? If the factories are not interested, would a private master builder accept a custom order for a frame that was an exact DNA-matched clone to a 1972 Colnago Super?
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Funny you should ask Gaa-lee-aahhh-knooooo,
In the late 80s early 90s I was doing lots of graphic design for the Santana Tandem and they were working _very_ closely with both Campagnolo and Columbus on tandem specific parts and tubesets. Even went a trip to the respective factories with Santana management in '89.
Antonio Columbo (owns Cinelli, 3ttt, Columbus) was asked about recreating a Cinelli SC from the early 1970s. This was at a point when Cinelli was making a Tokyo '64 Olympics replica which was nothing but a late 80s Cinelli SC painted champagne and with the early circus-style decals.
The idea was to use the long Campagnolo dropouts (not too hard to find), spaced to 120mm, old style decals available from the Tokyo replica, have etched brass headbadge made (piece o'cake). The manager of Santana and I were going to have some cool rides, right; even officially sanctioned by Cinelli owner Antonio Columbo himself.
Well, when Mr. Columbo was asked if it would be possible, the answer was, "Yes, this is no problem, how many would you like us to build!" Too easy!
You had to be there, but take my word for it, the mojo evaporated instantly from these really cool replica, reissue, reproduction, copies of authentic, early 1970s Cinelli SCs. It was too easy.
This experience did however provide the motivation to track down and restore the 1960 Cinelli S.C. that I presently am the caretaker of. (It was built during the '60 Rome Olympics, by the way.)
Chuck Schmidt
SoPas, SoCal