Earlier this week I suggested that the frame purported to be a GIOS Super Record might in fact be a sub-contracted model such as the GIOS touring bike that I have in France. I am convinced that this bike of mine was in the GIOS catalogue, particularly as GIOS would not have found many frame-builders in Italy who were renowned for their touring frames. In the mainland of Europe when you think touring frames you tend to think of French builders and manufacturers, not of italian ones. I am of course generalising here....
I have revisited the offending GIOS and now accept that the eBay frame is a fake,m as it is clear that some of the braze-on parts eg the top-tube cable eyes are of a later design than the rest of the frame. The seat lug/top of the seat tube square cut-off is hardly evocative of a top-flight frame either.
So... on British eBay there is a GILLOTT - Item No 190032438943 - that is really a Gillott, as the seller explains...but it is not the sort of frame that CR LIst members readily bring to mind at the mention of this highly-esteemed builder.
Nevertheless this type of frame was a stock item for GIllott in the company's pursuit of a wider market penetration, just as I think that my French-built GIOS was an attempt by GIOS to get into the touring market.
The eBay GILLOTT looks remarkably like some frames put out by Falcon. Equally there is every likelihood of a GILLOTT turning up that looks remarkably like certain mid-range Raleighs and Carltons, built from TI's own "True-Wel" mild steel tubing, complete with that untidy tubular full-wrap over seat cluster.
I think that in both cases the model name was "CAVEAT EMPTOR"!
Norris Lockley...Settle UK