Dave Anderson wrote:
> >
> > (1)What year, (in the 70s?) did Bianchi stop using the integrated
headset?
> > (2)What year, (in the 80s?) did Bianchi stop using the flat or
semi-sloping fork crown in favoer of the fully sloping design?
> > (3)What year, (in the 80s?) was the "Specialissima" name last used? Did
it come and go and then come back again like the "SuperLeggera" moniker?
> > (4)What years during the 60s? 70s? and 80s? was the name "SuperLeggera"
used?
> > Any body who can help, please do.
>
To which Chuck wrote:
>
> My guesses (and not even "educated" ones at that):
> 1. Integral headset gone in the late 1960s
> 2. Full slopping fork crown (aero) mid 1980s
> 3. Specialissima name comes and goes (sixties kinda name)
> 4. Superleggera name comes and goes (seventies kinda name)
1. The integral headset did in fact disappear in the late 60's, only to reappear in the late 90's 2. As Chuck said , this varies according to the market that you are looking at. There were some 'licensed' Bianchis from the Orient that had the sloping fork crown in the begin of 1980's, whereas the pro teams that they sponsored from Italy (Piaggio Bianchi, then Sammontana Bianchi) kept the 'traditional' fork crown until at least 1986. 3. The use of the superlatives 'issima' and 'issimo' started out when Coppi was given the nickname 'campionissimo' which translates into English as super champion. Once this moniker became widespread, Bianchi began adding it to their models. The first was the Folgorissimo (super lightning) in the 40's. They have also used Campionissimo and Specialissima, both of which have been used more than once. 4. The first Bianchi to use the name Superleggera was actually one of their cars that had Superleggera bodywork. It was commonly used in Italy already in the 30's in the automotive field. On bikes, I think that Chuck is right about it being a 70's thing. It too was used on more than one occasion.
Steven Maasland Moorestown, NJ
---