I am glad to be the bearer of good news and at the same time sad to be the bearer of bad news.

Bad news first?
1. Shape of tubes (not bad at all - actually)
I wrote earlier that I have never seen a Bianchi Proto frame in anything but MAX tubing. Had my doubts about a Proto being made of MS (Multi shape) tubing. MS tubing has almost no similarity with MAX when it comes to shape/form and size. If you do not believe me – google and you will see. I also wrote earlier there was nothing certain about Italian bike manufacture back then – meaning “who am I to tell you what frame you got”… Which I do now anyway but I hope that you will not take it the wrong way. That is a MAX tubed frame you have got there.

2. Repainted.
If you take a close look at your Columbus tubing sticker you will see the remainders of the text “Riverniciato” in white. It translates to repainted or redone.



Good news!
You have a frame that is made out of MAX tubing! You have got the second earliest Bianchi Proto frame known as of yet. It also has a braze on tab for a number plate under the top tube, behind the head tube, which might be a pointer to it being intended for actual racing. Congratulations!

I hope the good news overshadows the bad and that you do not feel the need to “shoot” the bearer.