Colnago Mexico Goldbike 1979
 

Hi!

I need som help.

I have a Colnago Mexico Goldbike 1979. It have been in my family since 1979.

Everything is original and untouched. Tires are dry.

It was at the World Exhibition in Milan in 1979 and Eddy Merckx drove it a few times during the exhibition. On rolls. As far as I know, not many copies were made and the Pope is supposed to have received one as a gift the same year 1979?We bought the bike from Tord Lönnqvist, European Bicycle Import (ECI). The bike has been hanging in our basement all these years.

Together with the bike we also got a signed painting by Eddy Merckx 75x55 cm.

I'm interested in selling the bike.

what value can it have?

Where is the best place to sell it?

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...086f5c1a4.jpeg
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...5f81d24ef.jpeg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...83c5a2f51.jpeg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...dcbbdee51.jpeg
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...cbdafd2e1.jpeg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...222155285.jpeg
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...d34520aff.jpeg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...9ea29f4a3.jpeg

You're going to need to post up some clear, detailed pictures.

OP gallery,
https://www.bikeforums.net/g/album/33401967
Sample,

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...ff917eaf9.jpeg

"It belongs in a museum.."

Colored plating finish was a fad for brief while in the early 80's . While great looking it doesn't really add a lot to the bike now. Back in the day I was guy who paid an extra $200 for chrome on a BMX bike!? As for fast sell value I would guess $1200 or so. End off the day bike or car semi different paint finish doe's not make it better bike or car..

Cool bike. Personally I would have done a gold frame and red and green components (some silver too). This isn't a rider which narrows the market to collectors who may or may not (more likely) be inclined to offer a premium because the cold tone bits.

To me the fact that while it's "all original" the dry rotted tires, brake hoods and O rings on the calipers detrack from the value. This would also mean I need to spend a day overhauling it, so that's another detractor in value for me.

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...f59d3a325.jpeg

That seems to be a true collector's item, not a bike for taking out for a weekend spin.

Of course, someone with enough spending money could purchase it and make it a daily/weekly rider. After swapping the existing components for a 25th anniversary Dura Ace group, of course. :D

I never really figured out where to place the values of bikes with gold toned chrome finish and gold colored anodized components.
I'm sure that all of them sold for a premium when they came out, mostly for their uniqueness, but I suspect 99 percent of such bikes ended up as wall hangers in homes and dealerships. So the market for such are mostly for people that will rarely ride the bikes, in fear that the gold finishes might not hold up to the riding environment (Does the gold color on the component anodizing fade from UV exposure like other anodized colors do??)..
There were component makers that did produce gold anodized products in big enough numbers, such as Simplex. But it is telling that it seems like they were not really that popular an option for people to buy, otherwise, we'd see a whole lot more C&V bikes with the Simplex gold stuff than we do.

Have a professional take pictures.
Make sure you can back up any claim with documentation.
Ask Mr. Mercxk if he remembers riding this bike and if so, could he write you a letter to that effect.
Then put it on Ebay.

Nobody here has any idea what this might be worth.

SWAG if you can establish provenance an auction house is the way to go. It will open up the market beyond bicycle nerds.

In collector cars, completely original unrestored copies of desirable models often have higher value than restored. You could have something like that here.

Thanks for answer!
Does Mr. Mercxk have an official mailadress?

Best regards Peter

Thanks for answer.
Do you have any suggestions for auction houses?
Ebay?

Best regards Peter.

Peter:
That is an ostentatious, gaudy, seriously fancy collectors item. It may very well sell for $4K+ if properly offered. Posters Mackers and Chombi are correct IMO. Do not change or modify anything short of carefully wiping down with Pledge or a silicon treatment (I like Aerospace 303 protectant.) You will need a detailed and accurate description of components and geometry that a good old school bike shop can help you with. If you cannot find a knowledgeable cycling auction, go eBay and start high. You need to consider an international buyer, as there may be more buyers for that level internationally, so prepare for that...

Thanks a lot lowgear!

Best regards Peter.

I agree . I think this bike has serious potential as a collector item. It will need to be presented and marketed appropriately to yield the best results.

This is one of the few times I think $5000 is not out of the realm of possibility.

Maybe even reach out to these guys: https://steel-vintage.com/

I say dangle it in front of Robvolz and see if you get a bite :D

premium-cycling.com (no affiliation) may also be worth contacting, although they are endorsed by Johan Bruyneel…

They seem to turn over a steady stream of collectible and retired pros’ bicycles at premium prices, eg:

https://premium-cycling.com/product/...-58cm-1984-85/

They recently had an apparently Eddy Merckx-raced De Rosa-built FIAT team bicycle from c. 1976 listed at EUR36000- which now shows as sold…

OK, this comment was not just made in jest, I have stumbled upon some serious collector Colnagos, mostly by accident and have never paid what they were actually worth. Lucky I guess.

For starters, this bike is seriously cool.

Cool AF!!

But, I have some stray comments and observations. It's important that you do not see them as criticisms, just observations.

1, The Eddy Merckx connection is puzzling. Eddy rode Colnagos whilst on team Molteni, as well was Kessels and DeRosa. But, according to my research, not too much long after the Hour Record where Eddy placed a Windsor sticker on the head badge over the Colnago logo, there was a bit of a falling out. By 1973, Eddy rode only DeRosa and some Kessels all the way through his team Fiat days until DeRosa helped him set up Eddy Merckx Cycles or EMC.

In 1979, I have heard of no stories were Eddy was a spokesperson for Colnago. This is a first for me.

I also see his poster and while I have not attended a single day of graphology school, Looking at a signed jersey, a signed EMC brochure and an 8x10 glossy….that looks like his signature. Happy to hear they made up. Both were influential in each other's success.

2, I have a couple sets of Colnago headsets. They are steel and my research states they were made by Ofmega, as were many Colnago panto'd cranksets, chainrings and hubs (most of the 35th anniversary bits).

I have never seen an aluminum Colnago branded headset, let alone one anodized gold. This is a first for me and really f'ing cool to see.

3, Speaking of Panto'd things….Ernesto started using his own branded drop outs starting in 1978. Maybe earlier, but I have not seen an example. I too own a 1979 frame of some note. The drop outs don't say Campagnolo but Colnago. Of Course they used up whatever was sitting around before diving into the new parts. [HA!! Ha ha ha ha!!!…I hadn't noticed before!! On my 1979, the NDS says Colnago. The DS says Campy!! How is that for quality control. Does that mean the frame was made on a Monday (hung over) or on a Friday (hitting the sauce a lil early??)…dunno].

4, speaking of a mishmash of parts…please recall that the consumer safety product commission (CSPC) in 1978 ruled that changes must be made to stop bicycle manufactures from making bits that would kill us. Again, I'm sure Ernie wanted to use up old stock before moving to new stock.

Here is what I see on your bike:

A) The front derailleur has the safety lip (post 1978) because in the wisdom of the CSPC, the flat blades on the FD might easily enter fleshy leg parts, COMPLETELY IGNORING THE SHARP TEETH OF A CHAIN RING A CENTIMETER AWAY.
B) The quick release levers are the flat style (pre-CSPC) instead of the safer curved style.
C) The Super Record Rear Derailleur (so cool) is also pre-CSPC because it doesn't have the lil' plastic trumpet on the adjusting or "stop" screws.
D) Both front and rear Campy brakes are also of the "flat," not "spooned" style quick release lever indicating 1978 or earlier.
E) The brake levers are of the 1972 panto style with the lil diamonds - and not the more modern style (intro'd in 1976 for the Montreal Olympics) that mimics the typeface of the panto'd chainring.
E) The crankset is "Mexico'd" where the crank spider has "voids" where there is normally fluting or concavity. This style was original to Merckx' hour record attempt for weight savings and repeated on the Colnago Mexico frames with their thinner SL tubes. Again, I have not seen that on a stock Colnago other than the Mexico/N. Mexico and never past 1978.*

Your bike is a wonderful find. It is stunning. I have heard of gold plating. I've heard of smoke chrome. I've never heard of "gold chrome" I'd be interested in learning more.

I'm sure I speak for everyone when I say, PLEASE PLEASE PRETTY PLEASE post more pics.

I'm curious to see:
- the bottom bracket. Bikology insisted on serial numbers which often didn't happen anyway. The numbers stamped on the rear drop-outs are really only to make sure the frame was properly matched to the fork (drop the fork, the number should match).
- the top or front of the stem. This was "post-beef" with Cinelli and should be 3ttt. Same with the handlebars.
- Front of the seat post. Does it have the matching panto as the brake levers?
- the backs of the crank arms, specifically the date stamp, a number inside a diamond, a circle or a square. The post CSPC FD (curved lip) added 1.5mm outbound and the cranks should be post 78 to match.
- a top photo of the RD, specially the patent date.
- what are the wheels? Ambrosia I would assume, with Clement tires?
- What is the size? Eddy rode a 58-63ctc and preferred 175 crank arms.



You probably would not hear from Mr. Eddy Merckx anytime soon. He had a bowel blockage that lead to emergency surgery last week. He is now home recuperating, but still. . . . .

On the other hand, I'd send off a letter to Alex Colgano who is usually pretty quick to answer back, if you have questions about an interesting bike. Heck, they may even want it for their museum.

*Please note that I am a mere enthusiast and not a certified expert. These opinions are based on my research and observations, but also know that I am wrong on an hourly basis and actually love to be proved wrong because that's how we learn.

Robert.

The headset is made by FT Bologna, and is very lightweight. Also very easy to mess up, so be careful when assembling. Be extra careful when threading onto the steering tube. Very easy to cross thread.

That’s a beautiful bike. More of a wall hanger, due to the fragile nature of the plating.

Bonus points that it’s all original and unmolested.

You could try listing it on the CR list.

Another auction house suggestion would be the annual Copake Auction (https://www.copakeauction.com/bicycles-splash/bicycles) or even Chrystie's. I personally think the bike could be dismantled and cleaned without affecting the value, but the work needs to be done by someone both familiar with bikes & components of the era and who understands the value of the bike. I.e. the work should be done very, very carefully and meticulously. The rubber brake adjuster grommets can be replaced without affecting the value. I'd probably leave the hoods and tires alone, because while dried out and cracked, they attest to the unused nature of the bike.

Robvolz!
Thank you so much for a great answer.
I can post more pictures.

How can i get in touch with Alex Colnago.

Best regards Peter

Thanks a lot Catnap.

Have to make a decision where to sell the bike.

Seagrade!
Thank you so much for the valuable information.

Best regards Peter

The one big thing is Colonago lugged limited edition collecter's finish semi custume/art bikes aren't as rare as sellers think they have made editions models from the late 70's to the early 2000's. So in the world wide market you have to compete with a bunch of Colognago stuff that is cooler.