My kind of thread. Great find, Justin.

I’m late to this one because I’ve been on one of those flights from hell. Missed connections, long lay-overs, screaming babies, etc. I’ve just finally landed in Entebbe. Here a few days, then thru Dubai to Jakarta. A couple more days, then thru Bangkok and back home. Whew.

AND, I just wrote a long reply to this, but got logged off and lost it. Figures.

Well, I’m gonna agree with Chas, but I don’t agree with all of his logic.

First, I believe he is spot on the timing: 1970-1972. I’d vote a tad earlier because the rear stays scalloping looks a bit more carefully done than was showing up by 1972. But that is a faint bit of evidence from one oblique photo.

The 531 decal is simply a wrong choice. Others are applied in the wrong place. Who cares?

Chas is correct that some TdF frames came with Campy dropouts. They were essentially the same frame and, as he describes, they did use a range of dropouts during that and the subsequent window. My guess is that this was built as a Super Corsa, but built up as a TdF as it headed out the factory door.

Where I consistently disagree with Chas regards the fork and stack-height issue. I think that half of the argument is correct: Many TdF forks were cut to match the P-3 headset. Which is to say that IF the fork is so short as to demand a P-3 or equally low stack height headset, then it is a TdF. BUT, the converse is not a guarantee: Not all of the TdF forks were cut so short. My ’71 TdF purchased new came with a P-3 headset that I changed to a Campy NR as soon as I could afford it. It’s still there.

The fork crown on both of my ’71 Gitanes are exactly alike.

The dropouts often helped to distinguish, but it was really them PLUS the components. My ’71 Super Corsa does NOT have the rear brake bridge, but it was ordered with the optional Campy brakes (still there). Standard were the Mafac Competition… and the brake bridge.

But, once we’re in this close, the components tell the rest of the story. The SC bike was all Campy except for the optional brakes. IF this frame came with both that P-3 AND the Stronglight 93, then it’s pretty much guaranteed to be a TdF.

Oh, yeah. And the rattle can respray did cover the chrome socks, but, as noted, who knows what condition they're in. Not to worry.

Bottom line? A great rider! An excellent find.

Like everyone here, I will await to see your build. Even if only as a beater, we know it will be interesting.

Cheers,