Classic and Vintage Bicycles: What's it Worth? Appraisals and Inquiries - vintage bianchi question

for you bianch experts-i have a important question. anyway, i am interested in a late eighties bianchi that a guy has, now ive only seen pics he sent me as he lives a ways away from me. this one is the typical celeste color-looks perfect condition with chrome fork and rear triangle. it is all campy c record with cobalto brakes. now for some reason the orignal owner has a rally rear der. on it. he just died so i dont know why it has this although when i looked at a closeup it did seem to have pretty low gears on it. he wants 500.00 for it. i do notice the made in italy decal on it so its not a tawain bike. does this sound like a good deal? i know, i have to test ride it and take a good look at it but with the infor. i have what do you think. thanks again. joe. ps. i believe tomorrow is the time i am to get together with the guy to check it out but it is an hour drive.

I'd buy it. The Rally is on there because the owner got old, like all of us. Of course, I could point out that much of your Bike Forums existence is a cautionary tale, but what good would that do?
(Keep in mind that Bianchi is neither dead nor obscure - in case that matters ... )

wow. that was a world record reply. and a very useful one for me. thanks so much picchio. yes it does seem like a great bike, but then again so did the cinelli. well at least this one is supposed to be painted CELESTE. by the way, the chrome forks have the bianchi "b" inscribed on them. i know pics are what is really needed for you to make a good diagnosis but as usual i dont have them-sorry.
thanks again for the advice. i dont have a bianchi and it would make a good addition to my stable.
i am assuming that this was the top of their line. should i also assume that he has the original c record derailleur? ps. im only 51. i can still do the hills with a 42/23(well most of them)

Lots of useful info here, including catalogs (though they're hard to decipher because of the file size):

http://members.jcom.home.ne.jp/my_bianchi/index.html

That said - chrome? Cobaltos? C-Record? Great condition? I'd be there tonight, man ...

Are you sure it's not actually a motorcycle?

moving to appraisal

thanks again. those catalogs are fantastic. the closest i see is in the 1988 catalog but not qute the same. anyway, waiting to hear back from the guy who i emailed a couple hours ago. well, i guess i may have alot of driving to do but hopefully it will be worth it. thanks again and if i hear from him and if i pick it up i will certainly post pics

ok. just figured out how to kinda get some pics on here-with a little help? i couldnt find this particular model in any bianchi catalogs. anyone know which it is. im guessing mid 80s. has cobalto brakes and c record cranks. looks like older super levers but has a ralley rear der and maybe a super front. thanks again. joehttp://photobucket.com/englert