I bought this big Bottecchia for two reasons - the lovely saddle and the price quoted to me. The bike is way to big for me and I intend to harvest the components today. I will put the frame set up for sale, cheap, with hopes of just finding a home where the bike is wanted...


My question is, what year (approx) is the bike. At first I thought it to be late sixties to very early seventies like this one that came my way a year, or so, ago...


but then I looked closer at the Carnelli steering stem...


All my other vintage Bottecchia also had the Carnelli stems, but none, not one, had the socket head screw pictured above. All had the standard hex nut as seen below...


Anyway, what year would you guess the Bott to be?

Are you assuming all components are original? Maybe the stem is a replacement.

What’s the model decaled at the top?

Yes, the frame and many of the components look very much like a 1969-1971 Special model. Chrome lugs in front triangle, stamped dropouts, braze on pump pegs, Valentino derailleurs with steel crank, less expensive high flange hubs - all were specd on the Special models in the US.

That is a good question but, though not 100% positive, I would bet that the Carnelli stem is absolutely original with the exception of the saddle.

Most Botts to come my way have sported the Carnelli stem and this one even documents its presence. The Carnelli decalstiker is attached to the seat tube a few inches below the seat lug (you can see part of it in this picture and I just went to check to ensure that it is Carnelli.


Not sure if I still have this Bott and, though it is the same model, it sports the hex nutted stem and the Carnelli decal/sticker is in the exact same spot...


All in all, my guess is that the bike is mostly as issued, again the saddle being an obvious exception.

The bike is a Model Special, one of several to come my way over the years. The green one, not nearly as well preserved, is also a Model Special. I might still have the frame/fork set stored under the lake cottage.

Check the locknuts on the Campy hubs for a date stamp.

Just FYI for the sake of folks who use the search function or Google to do research on this stuff, the stem is a Carnielli, with two i's, not Carnelli. The very topic came up last year and I think most people were mystified simply because no one was spelling it correctly.

-Gregory

Hey, my buddy bought this Special model new from the LBS in Spring '73. He paid $129 for it.

I will check for that. I know Record hub lock nuts are dated but can't remember if Tipo hubs are stamped. Bike is partially apart now and nothing stuck so far. Not a speck of grease on the stem or the seat post - go figure???

I think you quoted the wrong person there. Meant to ping retyred

The older bots looks nice in some areas, but very similar to lower model Peugeots of that time.
Bottecchias got so much better in the late 80's, definitely raising their rank of their brand in the industry

hey Randy, I'd also have bought that for the saddle - I'm after a similar one with that style of longer rail - any idea on a maker? Thanks, Dan

It’s a lovely frame. I have a deLuxe that will be built up above its pay grade eventually. I believe same era (1969-1971).

Thanks for the heads up. As I grow old, I tend to make more and more mistakes.