<sigh> what to make of this, from that extremely interesting interview with Ernesto Colnago in cycling news, referenced earlier:
Maestro Colnago sez:
"That Milano-San Remo win inspired me to change the logos on my bikes. It was like I had an ace up my sleeve that day, with Dancelli winning the race on my bike. So to commemorate this great win, I changed the logo from the eagle to the 'Asso di Fiori' (Ace of Clubs) later that year. "
Hah. So now it's a club again. I was willing to go with the whole flower theory, and the relationship to the Fleurs-de-lis lug pattern on the Gloria frames...but this seems incontrovertible evidence that Ernesto had the club suit from playing cards in mind from the start.
Charles "who has too many colnagos for his, or anyone else's good (and, no, Matt you can't have that bike yet. Someday though...)" Andrews SoCal