Speciale Corsa, 1960s

Thanks to Elvezio for photos of his Speciale Corsa labeled Cinelli with front fender from the 1960s.

Reminder: I invite you to contribute by sending in photographs of your Cinelli bike, illustrations, personal stories, and articles about Cinelli bikes and components. I can be contacted at veronaman@gmail.com

Cinelli, Super Corsa or Speciale Corsa?

Yesterday's article featured a bike with the less seen "Speciale Corsa" decal.

Correspondence between Steven Maasland and Andrea Cinelli, son of Cino Cinelli, sheds light on the significance of the SC on Cinelli bikes, and the difference between a Speciale Corsa and a Super Corsa. His response was:

Andrea Cinelli wrote, "Le etichette "Speciale Corsa" e "Super Corsa" identificano lo stesso modello di telaio o bici: venivavo abbreviate "S.C.", in cui la "S" indicava "Speciale" o "Super", mentre la "C" indicava "Corsa", per differenziare il modello più economico: "modello B"."

Translation: "The labels Speciale Corsa and Super Corsa identified the same model of frame or bike: they were abbreviated "S.C.", in which the "S" indicated "Speciale" or "Super", whereas the "C" indicated "Corsa", to differentiate from the more economical model, the "Modello B."

Andrea Cinelli, regarding Speciale vs. Super, continued, "Avevamo temporaneamente esaurito un' etichetta e per un equivoco dello stampatore la lettera "S" ha avuto due significati diversi. Errori simili succedevano in passato anche con i francobolli con grande "soddisfazione" dei collezionisti che lucravano prezzi più alti sul mercato."

Translation: "We had temporarily run out of a label and due to a printer's error, the letter "S" had two different meanings. Similar errors have also happened in the past with postage stamps to the great "satisfaction" of collectors who have sought more lucrative prices on the market."

I invite you to contribute by sending in photographs of your Cinelli bike, illustrations, personal stories, and articles about Cinelli bikes and components.

Thanks for stopping by.

I can be contacted at veronaman@gmail.com

1971 Cinelli Track Speciale Corsa

1971 Cinelli Track Speciale Corsa:

Cinelli track bikes in original condition are rare. What is rare and interesting about this particular bike is that it has never been ridden. It was purchased new by one of Canada's most famous racing cyclists, multi-Olympian Lorne 'Ace' Atkinson, not to ride, as he had retired from racing, but to display in his business Ace Cycles in Vancouver. Some years later it was bought by a racing friend of Lorne's who had the same intention and it remained with him for some twenty years on display in his house. It passed to the BOFCI collection in 2005. Apart from new bar tape - same type and colour - and a few storage marks, it is as new. Bike such as this provide a perfect reference point for restorers.

Frame: Cinelli Speciale Corsa track frame - No. 2177: 21½" seat tube, 22" top tube, 16" chainstays, 38" wheelbase

Wheels: Fiamme sprint rims on Campagnolo large-flange track hubs with double-butted spokes

Chainset: Campagnolo Pista

Pedals: Campagnolo track

Gears: Single-speed fixed

Brakes: N/A

Stem/Bars Cinelli Pista bars on Cinelli steel stem

Headset: Campagnolo

Saddle: Cinelli Unicanitor on Campagnolo seatpost

Photo: courtesy of David, owner

I invite you to contribute by sending in photographs of your Cinelli bike, illustrations, personal stories, and articles about Cinelli bikes and components.

Thanks for stopping by.

I can be contacted at veronaman@gmail.com