Jon Williams wrote:
>
> I'm trying to determine the differences between the top model Bianchi frames
> of the early 80's. I've looked through as many Bianchi catalogs as I could
> find and all those posted on Mark's website, but really need the help of
> those who own any of these bikes.
>
> Were the Models, "Campione", "Super Corsa", and Super Leggera", all built on
> the same frame, with the parts group determining the model? Or were these
> different frames? The only difference I can see from the catalogs is some of
> the Super Leggera's had chrome head lugs.
>
> Was there a "Specialissma" model from this period?
> What year did they stop using the near flat, chrome fork crown with the "B"
> engraving?
> What year did they stop using Campagnolo dropouts?
> What was the first year to have 2 water bottle bosses?
>
> I realize some of these questions may pertain to bikes that just fall out of
> "on topic". But if any Bianchi experts rather email me direct than posting
> to the group I'd appreciate the help.
Jon, I waited a few days for the Bianchi experts to step forward (maybe they answered you in private). I'm no expert (many on and off this list will agree) but here's what I know (at least what I think I know at this point so far for this moment)...
The top three Bianchi bike models from the late 70s to the mid 80s were the Tipo Corsa, Super Leggera, and Super Corsa, plus the Specialissima frame set (came in Celeste). The Tipo Corsa used the cheaper Columbus Alle tubing, and the Super Leggera, Super Corsa and Speciallisima frameset were made with Columbus SL and Colubus SP depending on the frame size (I think the over 57cm c-t size frames were SP).
Yes, there was a Specialissima in the 80s but it was sold as a frame set, not as a complete bike. In the 1960s there was a bike model called the Specialissima (the few that I have seen were black). I believe this was the second model down from the team bike (always Celeste).
There was a fairly recent discussion (argument) on the list about the
model name "Specialissima" being interchangeable with the model name
"Super Leggera". A famous (infamous) earlyexlistmember said he had a
1978 Bianchi catalog that showed a "mod. Specialissima Super Leggera" as
proof that the two names were interchangeable. I countered with this
example of a "mod. Specialissima Corsa Professionale"
http://bulgier.net/
Bianchi went from the semi flat fork crown to the aero fork crown in 1985 with the introduction of their Centinario 100th anniversary bike.
Two sets of water bottle bosses and semi-sloping dropouts was the early 90s bikes I believe.
1981: - Tipo Corsa, Columbus Aelle tubing, Nuovo Record equipped - Super Leggera, Columbus SL & SP tubing, Super Record reduced, chrome head lugs - Super Corsa - Columbus SL & SP tubing, Super Record, chrome head lugs
1982: - Tipo Corsa, Columbus Aelle tubing, Nuovo Record equipped - Super Leggera, Columbus SL & SP tubing, Super Record reduced, no chrome head lugs - Super Corsa, Columbus SL & SP tubing, Super Record, no chrome head lugs
1983: - Tipo Corsa, Columbus Aelle tubing, Nuovo Record equipped - Super Leggera, Columbus SL & SP tubing, Super Record reduced, no chrome head lugs - no Super Corsa offered - Specialissima frame, no chrome head lugs, no model name on top tube, celeste paint
1984: - Tipo Corsa, Columbus Aelle tubing, Nuovo Record equipped - Super Leggera, Columbus SL & SP tubing, Super Record reduced, no chrome head lugs - no Super Corsa offered - Specialissima frame, no chrome head lugs, no model name on top tube, celeste paint
1985 intro aero fork crown: - Centenario
1986: - Super Leggera, Columbus SL & SP, Chorus Syncro, aero fork crown
Here's the Bianchi catalog scans on Mark Bulgier's web site (linked from the links page on my http://www.velo-retro.com web site too). Below are my best estimates on the dates of the catalogs shown. Anyone have more accurate date info? Unfortunately the bike specification pages were not scanned for the catalogs on the site.
http://bulgier.net/
Super Leggera '82 (chrome on head lugs):
http://bulgier.net/
Super Corsa '82 bike (chrome on head lugs):
http://bulgier.net/
Super Leggera '83 bike (no chrome on head lugs):
http://bulgier.net/
Specialissima '83 frame set specs:
http://bulgier.net/
Specialissima '84 frame set specs:
http://bulgier.net/
If anyone has more or different info please respond.
Chuck "all opinions and guesses without basis in fact" Schmidt South Pasadena, Southern California
.