All this Cinelli talk reminds me that on the Rose Bowl vintage ride Sunday one of the things that was discussed in detail was last week's Cinelli SC eBay auction.
The bike had been described as follows: "To our knowledge, no Cinelli bicycle frame of this age and stature has ever before been offered for auction in eBay history." And... "could be the oldest road Cinelli SC known!" Along with, "No repairs seem to have been performed to the metal work. It has apparently undergone a careful restoration some time ago..."
Some of the auction copy: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Serial number #273 Once submitted, this frame will be the oldest SC road bike on the Cinelli Registry and it could be the oldest road Cinelli SC known! Guesstimates* say that this frame was made in the late 1950s to early 1960s. (*No absolute dating is claimed by experts but an analysis of the listings in the Registry will make it clear of the era.) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ If you are viewing this auction, you must be aware of the huge historical and cultural contribution of the Maestro, Cino Cinelli. This frameset is one of the earliest examples of the top model, that which Cinelli's fame was founded. We will not insult you by repeating the significance of this particular "find" in cycling circles. To our knowledge, no Cinelli bicycle frame of this age and stature has ever before been offered for auction in eBay history. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ This frame has an unknown provenance. It is structural sound and complete. No repairs seem to have been performed to the metal work. It has apparently undergone a careful restoration some time ago... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The discussion on the CR list <http://search.bikelist.org/?SearchString=Is%20this%20an%20old% 20Cinelli%20road%20frame%20or%20what%3F> established that the frame was from the mid 1960s and the rear dropouts had been crudely replaced; a completely different animal from the auction's description.
So what happened next? Was money refunded to repair the rear dropout mess? If the alleged earliest known Cinelli SC frame and fork is sold for a Buy It Now of $2500, what's it worth when it turns out to be a poorly restored mid sixties Cinelli SC frame and fork? Wouldn't the earliest known Cinelli SC frame and fork be worth more than $2500? CR List opinions? The parties involved thoughts? Inquiring minds want to know...
Chuck Schmidt
South Pasadena, CA USA