Here is all I really know about Grandis. There is a website so it may help if someone wants to research the make. I have a Special Gran Prix. Ed Kinney brought a different model to Cirque in 2001. I have pictures of another Special Gran Prix that Cyclart restored. Pics available to anyone who is interested. I believe Mike Kone and Sheldon Brown (on Sheldon's website (link?) classified Grandis as one of the better Italian makes. I would agree. Lou Deeter, Orlando FL
History (from he website, see link below)
\u201cIt seems only yesterday the day in which I set my hands on my first bicycle wheel, and today with joy and great satisfaction I realise that so much sacrifice and sweat was not spent in vain\u201d.
Just so Silvino Grandis, has for over 70 years guided the firm silently devoted to his belief: of the craft bicycle, an art form rather than an ordinary work. In 1930 Silvino built his first bicycle, and step by step continued to work with lots of enthusiasm, acquiring useful experience for the future.
1957 was the year in which, as official mechanic of the \u201cVenice A\u201d team, he saw the triumph of \u201chis\u201d athlete Mino Bariviera at Milan-San Pellegrino (ex Italia Tour amateurs).
After some years in 1965 Silvino, sustained by the substantial help of his wife Ines, began the production and commercialisation of bicycles with the brand name \u201cGrandis\u201d, the same that today is known in all the world as a symbol of research technology and craftsman\u2019s care.
Competitive and immediate success since the first years of activity have meant that numerous national and international amateur clubs have put their trust in the Veronese builder. Teofilo Sanson, who was well aware of Silvino\u2019s professionalism, engaged him as the official mechanic of Gianni Motta of Sanson.
This from the Used Bike Buyers Guide:
GRANDIS: http://www.cicligrandis.com/
Models:
Special Gran Prix Late 70s SL
Special SLX 86-98 SLX
Special SL 87 SL
Ghibli 88 SL
Mini Max 93-95 Max
Overmax 97-98 Genius