In my opinion, the single most important game-changer make and model was the 1970 American Eagle Semi-Pro (Nishiki Competition). OK, I admittedly rode a 1971 for 20 years and 40k miles, until the seat tube lug broke off of the bottom bracket. I assert that this was the first decent-quality mass-produced Japanese bicycle offered to the mass market in the US. Suddenly the image of poor quality bicycles from Japan was being challenged, even though I do not consider this world class, as its late 1970s successors were.
__________________
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069