Classic & Vintage - Atala 1954-1956

Is this e-bay offer really 1954-1956/rare, or is this bike boom/low quality?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Atala-Professional-Bike-1954-1956_W0QQitemZ320183320550QQihZ011QQcategoryZ98084QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Thanks - just interested in opinions...

Looks good to me, the frame does have forged drop outs. It would be nice to see the engraving on the bars and the stem. If it is stamped "Ambrosio Champion", it is from the 50s, if it is stamped "Campione del Mondo" it is a later stem. Well worth the $100 on it now and probably several hundred more.

The headset is especially sweet.

The only problem is the 0 rating on the seller.

Yep, not seeing anything "boomy" about that. As IAB implies, you might be well advised to pick it up in person.....

Those suicide brake lever extensions certainly add a nice touch of period authenticity.:rolleyes:

Other than the period-and-brand-incorrect Weinmann brake handles, the thing does appear to be the real deal, although I did not realize Simplex made a cable-controlled front derailleur as early as the mid 1950s, when the integral suicide shifter/derailleur was very common. I wonder if the bike dates from the late 1950s. (By 1961, I would have expected to see high-flange hubs and Universal centerpull brakes, so that probably puts a lower limit on the bike's age.)

Those suicide brake lever extensions certainly add a nice touch of period authenticity.:rolleyes:

Other than the period-and-brand-incorrect Weinmann brake handles, the thing does appear to be the real deal, although I did not realize Simplex made a cable-controlled front derailleur as early as the mid 1950s, when the integral suicide shifter/derailleur was very common. I wonder if the bike dates from the late 1950s. (By 1961, I would have expected to see high-flange hubs and Universal centerpull brakes, so that probably puts a lower limit on the bike's age.)


According to the Dancing Chain, the Italian Simplex factory made that exact front derailleur for one year (1957). Based on that, I'd say that bike was a '57 or '58.

This 50's Atala bids in six hours. I want to bid but after all the recent shenanigans on eBay I'm extremely wary. Lack of feedback really bothers me. What do you folks think? Catch of the day or 'Turkey' of the day?

It looks nice to me, I bet it ends at $450.

Wow, only $318.57! I think that's a heck of a deal. Wish I had been bidding.

There's no way to tell what shipping charges will be. I never bid if the seller doesn't state up front. I got charged $139 to ship a bike from Iowa to Idaho, several years ago. The seller was making up for a short bid finish.

that looks like quite a good deal to me !

BTW, I won the bid on this, but its been a week and seller has never responded to numerous emails. I never sent any money, so I'm writing it off!

It looks nice to me, I bet it ends at $450.

You sly ol' dog! Were you willing to go $450? Sorry it didn't turn out well for you but no money changed hands. Do you think the seller blew you off because of the low selling price?

I probably would have gone a little more. No idea what's up with seller!

This 50's Atala bids in six hours. I want to bid but after all the recent shenanigans on eBay I'm extremely wary. Lack of feedback really bothers me. What do you folks think? Catch of the day or 'Turkey' of the day?

Wow! This retyred guy is pretty sharp.

I have waaay too many bikes, so I have not bought an E-Bay bike in quite a while. But, it was my practice to always "test" sellers of bikes before bidding by asking several specific questions, such as the "standover" measurement of the bike, and the MAXIMUM amount that they would charge for packing and shipping.

If a seller did not answer my e-mails, or would not agree to a maxium cost for packing and shipping, I would not bid. If I won an E-Bay auction after the seller had answered specific questions and agreed to a maximum charge for shipping, everything went smoothly after the auction...which is one reason I have waay too many bikes.

I didn't cost me a cent to bid, win and not get the bike. I'm certainly not sending money until the deal is finalized. ebay is sometimes just a game that's fun to play... no big deal really.