I have this Regina America 1992 group I got from Bianchigrrl (derailleurs, shifters, crank - I also have a 7sp America freewheel). The original frame I had in mind for it didn't work out, so I'm thinking maybe I'll hunt for a frame this group might have come on when new. Clearly, it should be early- to mid-90s, probably not quite top-of-the-line, perhaps Italian. I saw mention somewhere else of Giordana. Any other ideas?

I think the Regina America is a mostly not known, dark horse Gruppo and will make for a very nice build to do on frames that are not the usual MasiColnagoguerciottiCinelliCiooccMercxx builds. I'd slap the gruppo on with no hesitation on more so called "Esoteric" brands like an ALAN, Titan, Bertoni, or even Benotto....Or maybe an American frameset like a Medici Pro Strada, Which would be my first choice.
The Gruppo looks to be a well made, well designed one and fortunately had not gotten the attention of most C&V collectors, which is good, as they still go for very reasonable prices, even NOS. Which reminds me that I should really get myself my own Regina America Gruppo together, before I can't afford them anymore, Just like what happened with Mavic C&V gruppos, when collectors just suddenly seem to discover them again, just 3-4 years years ago. Their asking prices had pretty much double and in some instances, even tripled since in just a few years.

Medici frames also have not found the open wallets yet.
Save Ray Dobbins who got a very nice price for his.

If yours is like the one I just viewed on VeloBase with red lettering, it has to go on a red hot Italian. Rossin? Or https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/bik/4545653118.html

Or a white Olmo.

My original intent was a Soma Buena Vista, but I think as far a regular road machine, since the Regina group was not common in the US I would look for something like Falcon, Moser, Concorde. Of course a Bianchi would also be in consideration too. One of the early '90s Cromor or SBX frames would eb pretty nice.

Thanks for the suggestions folks. I already have a Pro-Strada, so a Medici is low on my list. I like the other Euro suggestions though and will start keeping my eyes open. One thing that might be an issue is that by the time this group came out, I think other component vendors were starting to produce 8sp groups. If I remember correctly from the reading I've done so far, the America derailleur is your typical 6sp or 7sp SIS type of setup. I might have a little trouble finding a 126mm spaced frame, as many framebuilders were probably switching (or had already switched) to 130mm spacing for stock frames. (Trina, apologies for misspelling your BF handle. )

I'm thinking Palo Alto would be a cool choice as well - or maybe even a Billato Lemond. Medici is a great choice.

I've been looking for awhile, and thought I would update this thread. All the suggestions were great, and I've expanded on them a bit. One thing I figured out is that I probably won't find a frame contemporaneous with the group. It's a six-speed SIS-compatible group, but by the time it came out in the early 90s, essentially everyone had moved to 130mm rear spacing and (I'm guessing) eight-speed shifting. Long story short, I suspect I will have to find a mid- to late 80s frame.

Also, since this is a mini-group, it lacks brakes. I think a Sachs Aris or New Success brakes would be a good choice. I haven't seen any evidence that Regina actually provided a complete group with a set of Regina-branded brakes. The Regina Extra catalog scan on Velobase doesn't any brakes.

Maybe keep it Italian with Universal AER:

Pictures please!

I have the AER brakeset with the aluminum levers but also got the "resin" levers as in the pics, when an NOS set came up at eBay for quite cheap. Love the design of the calipers, but am quite torn about both lever sets I have for it, because the levers are non-aero, so I'm gonna be in a bind when I get to the point of finally installing it on my Medici "Aerodynamic" project frameset. It is really puzzling why Universal will design such a slick aero styled "AER" caliper set and not follow through with supplying a set of aero levers as standard. The non-aero levers will not look so nice on the bull horn bars I already got for the Medici..... I bet I'm not the only one with this Universal AER brakeset conundrum.....

Nice brakes. I guess the Regina group is half Italian, as the crank was made by Ofmega. The derailleurs are French/German though, having been made by Sachs, or Sachs/Huret, whatever they were calling themselves that year. I'll poke around the Bay for them. See what's available.

The Ofmega crank reminds me, any idea if I'll need an Ofmega bottom bracket? ISTR that their crank tapers were different than Campy's.

Since the Regina mini group was largely produced by Sachs, I'd think that Sachs (Modolo) New Success brakes compliment.

+1 on Giordana if you can find one. I had a very nice Giordana back when I was a bike messenger.

Thanks, [MENTION=159681]Bianchigirll[/MENTION]. That is the exact set I have. (I bought it from her.)

Maybe because the aero option looked like this?



From this eBay auction.

I've seen the aero version of the levers, but like the ones on the pic you posted, they all tend to be well worn, missing parts or broken. I suspect if a good set does turn up it will be priced so high that it's not worth it, especially it being plastic/resin, I'm really not willing to spend that much for it. I just have the NOS non-aero version in my stash as I was able to snag it for a really cheap price. Did Universal ever make aero levers in aluminum? If they did, I'd prefer that!

They'd look hot on my Raleigh Team Pro!

Have you ever used these components? From what I read they are a rebranded New Success SACHS-Huret AIRS, which indexes 7 speeds and works with either the standard Shimano 7 speed or Dura Ace 7 speed.

hm, how about following through on the Italian-America thing? Serotta, Della Santa, Medici, Masi?

I already have a Masi and a Medici. Serottas and Della Santas tend to be more expensive than I'm interested in spending for this project.

That said, a Masi Nuovo Strada or Gran Corsa, or Medici Camino Real might fit the bill nicely.

Looks pretty rare. Is it from the late 80's? Probably introduced just as Shimano made indexing main stream?