Paratella IBAC team bike 1963-64
 

This is one maker not often seen outside of Italy, and this is the only team IBAC road bike I have ever seen.

Based on the serial number, frame details, color and the story which came with it, my guess is that Bruno Giorza was the rider.

The story which came with it, was that it had been ridden by a professional from Torino for three years, then traded in at a local shop, converted to a city bike, then sold to the person I got it from. It had been partially repainted years ago, in the original color. Bruno Giorza is one of two riders on the IBAC team from Torino, the other being Nino Defillipis. Defillipis road for Carpano in 1963, then IBAC in 1964. Giorza rode for IBAC in 1963 and 1964, then as an unsponsored rider in 1965, before retirement. He still lived in Torino until at least 2018, but I have not been able to contact him.

In 1963, the team apparently rode bikes of a darker color in both the Giro and as part of the combined team with Molteni in the TdF, but lighter colored bikes in other races and then again in 1964. The only period, color photo I can find is of Defillipis on a silver bike in 1964. This bike has apparently always been silver, with some areas repainted. It would make sense that Giorza would have painted over the logos for the 1965 season.

This came to me as a bare frame. My goal was to restore it to match the wear and finish on the frame. I worked with a couple friends in Torino for period photos and the great Gustavo Salmon to remake the decals. I left the paint as I found it. The decals were top coated with marine varnish to give the slightly amber hue of old finishes.

Components are Record derailleurs, including a slotted stop front, early Record cranks and pedals, with Con Sfere bottom bracket, small letter seat post with early Unicanitor with decal and adjuster, Record hubs and Balilla brakes. I am still looking for the correct hoods, but these work for now.

I am not into over restoration, but want people to have to guess if the bike is original or not.
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...9a74d1a73.jpeg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...d8db52780.jpeg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...742762497.jpeg
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...3bdd06d6e.jpeg
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...50121b689.jpeg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...60fe0e4dc.jpeg
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...824b6a43e.jpeg

Excellent work! :thumb: I really like the way you've treated its age with respect.

This is a beautiful bike and really nice work.

That's a very inspired build! Really lovely... Thanks for sharing!

-Gregory

Very classy looking bike. How’s the ride? Out of curiosity, how long is the wheelbase?

cheers.

Brad

Excellent presentation and beautiful bike.
Also, great work on the decals by Gus Salmon.

I like the no chrome, stance and proportions. Lugs and head tube draw one in. Thanks for sharing!

pretty clear this was made to race, not sell. It has the characteristics of the details in lug work of Paratella, but none of the usual fine finishing of the filing and chrome. ‘Race it, then replace it!’

That is an interesting observation, and one that has been keeping me busy for quite a while now. There seems to be quite a gap between what are generally perceived as high end bikes (which fetch big money) and the ones that actually won the races (which can sometimes be found in the classifieds for a couple of tenners). The more I look into the subject the more it becomes clear that nothing is what it seems to be.

Only yesterday I was perusing the mid-seventies build records of a small specialist shop in Amsterdam and noticed a delivery of a batch of frames for a cycling team that was sponsored at that time by a competing - and well-established in racing circles, mind you - brand. For more than half of the team members!