I'd put it a bit later, maybe 82 or 83. It's one of the weirder aero things.
The U shaped piece was to open the front, so air could flow through rather than around the saddle. Oh! the horrors of the extra frontal area of a saddle slowing you down! I vaguely recall seeing an ad, sometime around 82 or 83.
I do have one of these on a bike of mine, very aero bike, so it's an interesting acessory. It certainly dosen't make me any faster though :)
Steve Birmingham Lowell,Ma USA
Subject: [CR]Selle Royal CX saddle
I am trying to place the Selle Royal CX saddle in time and target market for its time. Let me describe it. I purchased it NOS recently and it actually comes with a blue rubber cover which is supposed to protect it during transit. It says Royal in the back support for the saddle rails. It is some kind of grained material that looks like it could be leather but probably is some kind of high tech material which feels like leather but is grippier and grainier. It is black with gold accents. There is a gold CX imprinted at either side of the nose. The nose has a gold metal U piece and the rails are gold also. The padding is thick and extra firm, and the leathery fabric is stitched on similar to the way work boots attach the sole. The skirts are low so I feel it should be about 1980 or so but it only says made in Italy, with no other stampings on the underside.
Garth Libre in Miami Fl.