Folks,
In 1993 Alfa Romeo built out the last US-spec Spiders. The "last" 200 were held at the US distributor, had special trim applied, and received dash plaques numbering them 1 - 200. They were then sold as 1994 commemorative editions.
Some years later it was noticed that the distributor had not been all that careful about whether # 9 was actually built by the factory in Italy before or after # 39, for example. In fact, there may be some 1993 titled Alfa Spiders that are newer than some of the "last 200" sold as 1994's.
And so it goes.
In the early 1970's I coveted a Frejus frame at my LBS. It hung on a wall there for maybe two years. Who knows what poor devil out there thinks his Frejus has "later" equipment on it, if that 1971 frame received 1973 stuff as its first build.
As collectors we are all somewhat obsessive with this stuff. I have decided that when I am literally piecing together a bike, I will try my best to be faithful to a couple of year window on either side of when I think the frame was built. Beyond that, I will try to control my disease.
Best to all,
Tom Joswick
Columbus OH