At 05:40 PM 9/20/2004, Eric Elman wrote:
>I have for sale a Stell frame and fork. Year and model unknown to me;
>happily to hear from someone with info though. Must be a hih end model
>thogh. Frame is 56 c-c seat tube and 56 c-c top tube. It has Campagnolo
>ends with eyelets. 1/2 chromed socks on the forks and stays. Chrome is
>in excellent condition. Frame is silver with black head lugs and red wine
>colored headtube, all with gold lug outlining. Paint is all chipped and
>scratched so she's a beater, good resto candidate due to excellent chrome,
>or a great bike to put decent components on and not worry about likely
>theft?, or ??? Tubing is Columbus "3 tubes renforces acier special."
>Columbus decal is a neat triangle shape and unlike any other that I have
>seen. The oh, so cool, head tube decal (rooster) is in excellent
>condition but all other Stella decals are mostly gone and have the same
>patina as the paint. Rear brake bridge and chain stay bridge both have
>nice diamond reinforcements. Seat stay tops are wrap over style that each
>come to a point and just kiss one another. Lugs are long point, I think,
>Prugnat as seen on early 70's Colnogo's. I'd guess the vintage to be
>about 1970. Stamped in the BB is "16532 BOISE". Fork crown is
>flat. The rear stays had a kick stand attached at one point as there is
>very slight crimping (may not be able to capture in a photo). The seat
>lug/seat post bolt area also has some squishing from over-tightening the
>bolt at some time (not me, really). Yes, French threads.
My brother has a Stella that matches that description. It was sold with Campy NR derailleurs and a Nervar Star crankset. I believe he purchased it new in 1971. Nice workmanship, and pretty extreme geometry for the time, with a very short wheelbase, minimal fork rake, and if I remember right, significant front wheel-toe clip overlap. It looks quite a bit like a track bike, and it might make a nice fixed-gear machine for the road.
Mitchell Gass
Berkeley, CA