[CR]Gloria Garibaldina

(Example: Component Manufacturers:Campagnolo)

From: "The Maaslands" <TheMaaslands@comcast.net>
To: "CR" <Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Date: Sat, 8 Mar 2008 11:49:52 -0500
Subject: [CR]Gloria Garibaldina

Given that I have been involved in one way or another with almost every Gloria that has been discussed on this list so far, maybe a few comments are in order.

Gloria was based in Milan and was founded in 1922. The company was founded by Alfredo Focesi. Focesi was quite different from most other bicycle industry entrepreneurs in that he was neither an ex-cyclist nor frame-builder. He was an investor who saw great potential in the business. One of his first hired hands who was doing the frame building was Galmozzi (père). The reputation of Gloria was built very quickly when Libero Ferrario won the inaugural world road championships (for amateurs) in 1923. This was considered THE biggest event in cycling at the time, so a great marketing coup. Focesi however did not see the great import of racing and began to reduce his investment in racing, looking to the larger market where city bikes were definitely the most important market segment. This market driven concentration was apparently sufficiently strong enough that Galmozzi became discouraged and left to set up his own production focussing only on racing bikes. Gloria continued to grow and quickly developed a reputation as a purveyor of top quality bikes whether city or racing bikes.

The Gloria racing department once again took on a certain degree of importance when Faliero Masi was brought in to run it. But once again, like was the case with Galmozzi before him, Masi was either lured by a desire for independence or through displeasure on how things were going within Gloria and set out onhis own too. Another 'builder' to have wet his feet within Gloria was Ernesto Colnago. Ernesto started working as a piece-worker for Gloria as a teen and was able to grow the contacts that he established there into his own marque.

The nickel plating was indeed a hallmark of Gloria, as were the 'arrows' that appear in the ebay auction bike. Internal brake cables were also commonplace.

My personal view of Gloria bikes is that in some ways they represent a combination of artistic expression with their add-on lillies on the lugs, together with proven racing success and a good tie-in to three pre-eminent builders. This makes for a strong case when it comes to drawing out collectors' interest.

Steven Maasland
Moorestown, NJ
USA