Dave outed the following auction
> Check out the interesting 50's Bianchi Paris-Roubaix with the odd prototype
> Campagnolo derailleur.
This bike is an odd agglomeration of bits and pieces. While it has plenty of shine and sheen, it is not terribly original. The repaint has been quite well done, with a 'celeste' that closely ressembles those we have now become accustomed to. Most period bikes would have aged to a much lighter green (who knows what they looked like new?) The decals are however not the correct ones for the age of the shifter. By the time the lower reach PR shifter was brought out (right at the end of the life of the the PR in the mid-50's), the bikes were labeled as Bianchi Paris-Roubaix on the DT, not Bianchi as seen. The stem is also not correct for the vintage of the gear as it would have been a Bianchi branded alloy stem made by Ambrosio. The same for the bars. The brake calipers are the correct Universal model (mod.51) but are a later iteration thereof (either late 50's or early 60's.) In fact the brake caliper spring is held in place by a 'nub' on the back of the arms instead of by the spring bent around the arm as in the early 50's. The brake levers are also not original to the bike according to the description, as again here they would have been alloy and not steel. The crankset is missing the 'B' emblem caps on the BB axle and the blue chainring bolts. I can't comment on the hubs (they should have a script 'Bianchi' marking on them), pedals, rear brake or rims as they are not visible in the photos.
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Steven Maasland
Moorestown, NJ