Hi Crumpy, Well, we must consider what the seller Alex specifically wrote ... that the bike came from an ex racer ... no mention of whether he rode it or not. And of course, the training bike can be much different than the racing bike, so of course, the racer could have used this for some sort of training. But, there were lighter Columbus SL Torpados available, especially to Italian National Champions, so I don't see a lot of likelihood that this was a raced bike ... at least, not by the National Champ. This is all speculation, of course; the racer may have received it as a gift, or had it for a family member, or perhaps he rode the heck out of it .. but we don't know any of that from the description. I will ask Alex about the connection, and see if he has any more info.
And in answer to your REAL question ... if I knew that this Torpado was raced professionally, regardless of the level of build, I would indeed be VERY interested in owning such a bike ... even though it is too big for me to ride myself. You aren't missing a thing ... we collect for cool factor, as well as sentimental value!
Ciao, Mark Agree Southfield MI USA ~ ~ ~
Date: Fri, 27 Mar 2009 11:45:36 -0400 From: <crumpy6204@aol.com> Subject: [CR] Torpado am I missing something? To: _classicrendezvous@bikelist.org_ (mailto:classicrendezvous@bikelist.org)
Lots of posts.About the Torpado I posted about on?BritEbay#350181727414. I have done a lot of business with Alex, a?First rate Brit?dealer. BUT the ON E thing I was?MOPE interested in, is his statement, "Italian National Champ 600 wins" Who was this?? maybe Aldo would?have? info about? Also If this i s correct, would not the bike he rode??an?"Italian Champion"?be the best av ailable? To me this frames worth is NOT in what it is, BUT who rode it!?? E ddie I would think that?YOU would be VERY interested in this. with the coll ection that you have and the HISTORIES attached.?This to me is the mark of a TRUE collector.? By the way I have traded. with a fellow member (THANKS J OHN)?my 54 Hetch MagOpus, for a frame,a J.A.Holland.made in West Bromwich U K.?that to me has far more worth as a collector, was made by a mate and fel low club (Solihull CC) member. Is this NOT what we are all interested in, t rue?sentimental collector?value, THIS?way exceeds monetary value,at least?i n MY mind? "Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder" or some such! Cheers Joh n Crump OldtryingtobeoneBrit, Parker Co USA? PS Lets hear some feedback on this to me a VERY important topic!
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