steve, we should all be so lucky to have such a quandary!
i had a 50th gruppo, new and in it's case. i bought it in italy and hand carried it back - going through airport security with a laptop is nothing compared to going through with a 50th anniversary case, let me tell you. anyway, that was in 1989. it was fun taking it out once in a while and opening it up to show people. but even that got old because closing it up is not so simple if you do it right. if i still had it i would i would seriously consider making a special display case for it. but i digress.
eventually i bought a 50th anniversary paramount frameset. i really wanted to put together a classic/cliched 50/50 bike. but i couldn't bring myself to mount my virgin gruppo. so, i sold my gruppo and bought myself a very nice used one, and with the difference i bought other bike stuff i'm sure. bottom line for me, you should keep your low serial # gruppo in it's case and put something else on your frameset. if you can't stand having it in the case, then sell it to somebody who wants one in the case and buy yourself whatever you want - nice used gruppos can be found hanging on many ebay bikes.
enjoy your agony and let us know what you decide to do.
ray dobbins
miami florida
> I am a firm believer that that classic old machine should be on the
\r?\n> road. I've got two that are near assembled. A 77 Trek 700 531 frame
\r?\n> returned to the form it was when I assembled it in 1979(Campy record
\r?\n> throughout with an Avocet triple) and a Columbus SL frame (my first)
\r?\n> set up with mostly DA EX.
\r?\n>
\r?\n> I have Campy 50th #156 in the box. (No it's not for sale, bought it
\r?\n> in
\r?\n> 84) If I sell the set, it will probably remain in the box as a
\r?\n> collector set. If I keep it in the box it collects dust in my
\r?\n> collection. My basic instinct is to build it and ride it. It's kinda
\r?\n> valuable to do that. But Oh, the beauty of those pieces.
\r?\n>
\r?\n> So what should I do? Display or ride?
\r?\n>
\r?\n>
\r?\n> Steve Leitgen
\r?\n> La Crosse, WI