Kommisar89

I just saw this on eBay and though it looked kinda odd. Looks like a lower end model, maybe a Special or deLuxe but it doesn't look like any that I've seen before. The lugs are different, it seems to have forged rather than stamped dropouts, it doesn't say 'Carnielli' on the stem although it looks original, and it has none of the 'Campione Italiano' or 'Campione del Mondo' victories on the decals. Could this be an early 60's Bottecchia or totally not original or just something specific to the Italian market since it's in Italy (and I can't imagine anybody paying $180 just to ship it!).

https://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...ayphotohosting

unworthy1

Seems like it could be original, early, and a step higher than "gaspipe" since it has forged Campy DOs...what about the forkends? Pretty nice shape if that's original paint, as I suspect it is.

luker

I'd second that opinion - the Shimano 105 of its day - (Campy Valentino). Looks like Balilla brakes. my guess is late 60's to early '70's...

Kommisar89

I was thinking that - it most resembles the Special Model of that period. But I've seen a bunch of those. The lugs are different and would be chrome, the dropouts stamped not forged, and all of the Bottecchias of the late 60's - early 70's period had high flange hubs. But maybe there was some Italy or Europe only model like this one. If it was stateside I'd bid on it just 'cause it's unique but not with the $180 shipping charge. I wouldn't pay that much total.

BTW - Something I still see today - various brands available in the US will come in 4-5 different models that are more are less completely different frames and components while the same manufacturer will have 4-5 frames available in the rest of the world each available with any brand and level of components you might want to choose from. You could pick out the same frame with Campy Record or Shimano 105 or some such. I'm sure there is some sound marketing reason for that. Maybe that bike is something like that - and nice frame with lower end components that wasn't available stateside.

Kommisar89

Here's a clue I found in another eBay offering - this appears to be a decent frame - it has the Campy dropouts like the one I was looking at when I started this thread. I also has a steel cotter pin crank like that one. If you look at the decal it's a 1961 model frame. I'm still leaning towards the one I was originally looking at being an early - mid 60's model midrange bike. I've never seen a chrome Bottecchia before (although many had chrome underneath the paint). This one seems to have come that way - maybe for the 50th aniversary edition.

https://cgi.ebay.com/VINTAGE-BOTTECCH...ayphotohosting

Hexenmeister

My '72 Atala has that exact same saddle.