No offense intended to Alex at all, but is that truly a SPECIALE model? Or could the enamel and new decals have been re-done by a previous owner to pimp out their far lesser model.
Just based on my own very narrow experience of having previously owned one Speciale - which I believe was from the same era - this certainly looks like a completely different bike to me.
No longer the Nervex Serie Legere Lugs? Only the cheapest Simplex dropouts - when thicker forged dropouts with integrated derailleur hangers were around since the early 1950s. A straight steel seat pin with saddle clip rather than a Simplex integrated post/clip... or at least a better adjustable model Ideale saddle clip? Inexpensive cottered steel chainset?
If those are indeed Campagnolo quick release skewers, (and while the rubber covers say so, the end nuts and lever bodies look unlike any I've ever seen), surely those would not have been "original" to that wheelset and must have been later substitutions.
As with any bike, how can we (or Alex) believe that what we are told by a previous owner is complete, correct and original is indeed true? Sorry, but this looks like a lesser frameset to me. One which had perhaps some few years later been "upgraded" in appearance.
But, I could be wrong completely wrong and perhaps the moniker "Helyett Speciale" had eventually become applied to a far broader range of bikes than I have seen. I suppose the seatpost diameter could be one factor by which to verify the butted 531 tubing... 26.4 mm.?
Lastly, how sad that the otherwise stunning white plastic shifters set had cracked right through the clamp band. I have only VERY rarely ever seen any replacement set offered for sale and the plastic had become quite yellowed. Kudos to Alex for that disclosure photo!
Curious Bob
BOB HANSON, ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO, USA