Originally Posted by
c_c_rider
fyi in the first editions of the PROTO (~1989/1991) were not made of MAX, they were made of MS (Multi Shape) tubing. MS was made of cro-mo and the precursor to MAX which was Nivacrom. Once MAX came out the Reparto Corse builders switched over to that. Oh and yes, they did have Shimano dropouts (Campy did not make a semi-horizontal dropout at that time so the Reparto Corse guys when with Shimanos). Mine is from 1990/91 and is made of MS.
Are you sure they were Proto: s? If you look thru this thread you will find a link to an article in Bicycle of July 1988 with a Proto in MAX. I guess the time to go to print in those days were at least 3-4 months. I have never seen mentioned in any catalog or magazine a Proto not built from MAX tubing. In fact I have never seen a Bianchi in MS tubing at all - Proto or other. That does of course not mean there are not any - it just means it would be very interesting to see yours.
PS - and the serial number of course... ;-)