Re: Do we know what Franco-Suisse (the mid-60's Carlton model name) means ??
I believe the Franco-Suisse model either replaced or overlapped with the earlier Franco-Italia model. I have seen two original Franco-Suisse models on ebay, and the grouppo was :
GB map-of-britain bars; GB spearpoint stem; brooks pro saddle. Campagnolo Record (60's) partial grouppo : - steel rear derailleur - cable-stop front derailleur - No-Record HF hubs, seatpost, record steel toestrap pedals. - Downtube braze-on shifters - Headset
Stronglight 63 cranks (perhaps the franco part ??) Weinmann Brakes (perhaps the suisse part ??)
The latter two parts might be the origin of the franco-suisse name, i.e. the bike is All-Campagnolo, except for some Franco-Suisse parts.
- Don Gillies
San Diego, CA, USA