Alex is definitely "on the money" that it is a Vincitore Special -- the difference is the long spearpoints on the bottom bracket (though the other lugs would be the same). According to Mercian's website, and past catalogs, that should be the only real difference.
That is a gorgeous frame, and I'd have to consider it if it were my size (way too small for me).
A couple of things that make this particular example unique, even among Mercians, which are almost "anything goes" frames -- the barber pole paint job is fairly common on the seat-tube of Mercians, but this is the first I've ever seen that had the treatment on the head tube and fork.
Also, I've seen two basic variations on the Vincitore lug set. The ones on Ray's example are somewhat less common than the other ones -- the difference is subtle (look at the contours of the spearpoints as they extend onto the top tube), but I like the ones on Ray's bike just a bit better. The other, more common variation can be seen on Mercian's website. http://www.merciancycles.co.uk
Kyle Brooks Akron, OH
________________________________ From: "Rosas, Alejandro L., M.D." <ARosas@tmhs.org> To: "classicrendezvous@bikelist.org" <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org> Sent: Mon, January 10, 2011 11:56:20 AM Subject: [CR] Ray Dobbhins' Mercian
Ray Very cool frame. I 'm pretty sure that the frame is a Mercian "Vincitore Special" The difference between the Vincitore and the Vincitore Special is the lenght of the lug spearpoints. Happy New Year, Alex.
Alejandro (Alex) Rosas, MD Anesthesia Director, Main Operating Room The Methodist Hospital 6565 Fannin - ms M375 Houston, Texas 77030 arosas@tmhs.org<mailto:arosas@tmhs.org> Operating Room: 713 441 1031
Methodist. Leading Medicine.
Recognized by U.S.News & World Report as one of America's "Best Hospitals" in 13
specialties.
Named to FORTUNE magazine's "100 Best Companies to Work For" list five years in
a row
Designated as a Magnet hospital for excellence in nursing
Visit us at methodisthealth.com
Follow us at twitter.com/MethodistHosp and http://www.facebook.com/
***CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE*** This e-mail is the property of The Methodist Hospital and/or its relevant affiliates and may contain restricted and privileged material for the sole use of the intended recipient(s). Any review, use, distribution or disclosure by others is strictly prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient (or authorized to receive for the recipient), please contact the sender and delete all copies of the message. Thank you.