[CR]50's Benotto bikes

Monkeyman asked:

"Steve beyond the one you have some pics posted of at the CR site I don't think I've ever seen another produced before the '70s. Did he do lots of contract work for others, or as they just that rare? It would seem odd that someone that did contract work started having his frames built under contract but stranger things have happened."

The CR page bike is now in California. Beyond that, I am aware of the following late 40's/early 50's cambio corsa Benotto bikes: Curtis Anthony of Via Bicycle in Philadelphia has one, as does Aldo Ross, plus there is another one at Ed Litton's awaiting restoring. As best as I can tell, all have the same very high quality of lugwork.

If you go on the Benotto corporate webpage and check out the history page http://www.benotto.com/s_seccion26000/html/categoria.exr?Clave_Categoria= 1 it says that it was actually Giacinto himself that left Italy, way back in 1953! It also states that Benotto in Italy was already producing 500 bikes per day back in the 30's. It makes the whole story all that much more confusing.

For all I know, there is perhaps a gap in Italian production between the 50's and late 60's. Can anybody else supply any information?

Steven Maasland
Moorestown, NJ