Stevensb 

This is a lovely faded red Bianchi Speciallisima with SN 160xxx, which I believe indicates it is a 1960 build.

The chrome is in very nice condition.

The rims are Wolber Super Champions (not original?) on Campy high flange Record hubs.

Seat post is 27.2 Campy 2 bolt.

The seller assures me he still has the rest of the original parts that were taken off this bike and will include them in the sale.

Crank should be a Campy 151 bcd.

There is much to be done to bring it back to road worthy condition including rebuilding the wheels with period appropriate tubular rims.

My question is what do you feel the bike is worth, in it's current condition, if the parts are available, along with what you see?

Thanks.

Brad

1960 Bianchi Specialissima by bj.stevens, on Flickr

1960 Bianchi Specialissima by bj.stevens, on Flickr

1960 Bianchi Specialissima by bj.stevens, on Flickr

1960 Bianchi Specialissima by bj.stevens, on Flickr

1960 Bianchi Specialissima by bj.stevens, on Flickr

1960 Bianchi Specialissima by bj.stevens, on Flickr

1960 Bianchi Specialissima by bj.stevens, on Flickr

1960 Bianchi Specialissima by bj.stevens, on Flickr

DMC707

Very cool !

I dont have any experience with machinery this old so cant give a educated value response, but wanted to chime in and say its a beautiful machine anyway

wrk101

Vintage parts are almost always available on eBay, price is market driven, which can be quite high. So hopefully seller will come through. Assuming seller provides the correct missing pieces, lots of value here. And Canada tends to be higher.

Decide what it is worth to YOU and go from there. The fact it may be worth more or less to someone else should not matter. If you really like it, you are not going to see another one!

zukahn1 

With all the original components in working order as is I could see going up to 500 CAD for a local sale and not be underwater ounce the bikes rebuilt, if it's bike you really want. As said your not going to find another one this age with really nice but slightly faded original paint and good chrome really nice looking bike.

TugaDude

I agree that if you like it and it fits you should grab it up. I've personally never seen one anywhere that old for sale locally and as indicated by other posters, the condition of the frame, paint and chrome make it truly special.

The rims are likely replacements. I'd expect it to have come with aluminum (silver) glue-ups. Also, is that a crack I see in the rear rim? Around 9:00 in the photo?

And let's hope the other original parts are still there! As it, with the other original parts, I'd think you'd do very well anywhere around $500 USD.

Good luck!

obrentharris 

With all the original parts, right down to the cable clips, "open C" shifters, etc. I would pay USD $800 shipped if it fit me (which it might.)
So if it's 60 cm or bigger c to c and you decide not to buy please pass on the seller's information!
Brent

randyjawa 

I recently bought a very similar Bianchi. I feel that I got a really good deal, paying $500.00 CND. Mine is of 1971 vintage and, with the exception of the first generation Dura Ace brake, quite original. I am going to repair it and restore it. I will install Universal Super 68 brakes, new paint and decals. Once completed, I would want more than $1000.00 US for the bike...

konakai

you can do comps, what similar bikes have sold for, but at the end of the day it's what it's worth to you. personally I see alot more than 500 in value. I mean a 1960 specialissima come on

Bianchigirll 

Is this to be a wall hanger or a rider? I wouldn’t worry about the wheels if your going to ride it but if you have to have silver rims there are plenty of used wheels around that will should pass muster as close to era

Cratecruncher

That's an $800US bike to me if all the original parts are included. An original bill of sale and service receipts from the '60s to '20s would be even better so ASK. The faded paint is patina in my opinion and I wouldn't repaint it. I would put the original parts back on it and ride it for the time capsule effect.

juvela

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Hello Brad,

thank you for sharing this find

it has been some time since we had a rootbeer Specialissima from this era on the forum

sometimes it seems like Celeste, black and the deep blue flambouyant are more common liveries...

you wrote -

"Crank should be a Campy 151 bcd."

yes, that is part of it

it needs to be absent the "web" between the two lower spider arms and the crank arm

it needs to have the chrome "dustcap" on the inner end of the pedal hole

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the Record front mech needs to be the very earliest edition with not only the housing stop but absent the slot in the housing stop

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hope it all works out for you

thank you again for posting

btw - in case you have any curiosity regarding the Bianchi-Campagnolo integral headset, member bulgie made a study of them here -

https://bulgier.net/pics/bike/Parts/...anchiHeadsets/

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konakai

so what happened, did you get the bike, did he have the missing parts

Stevensb 

konakai Not sure yet. Waiting for the parts to materialize.

Cheers.

Brad

eaglerock

As juvela says, one of the bigger concerns is the state of the headset - the headtube-integral bearing cups (really cones, as Mark Bulgier observes) are difficult to replace. Assuming they're OK, new bearings+regular lubing should keep you in reasonable shape.

Pre-Bike Boom Bianchis in North America are unusual in reds; the overwhelming majority I've seen were celeste, with much smaller numbers in blue and black.

If you really want to get period-correct with the wheels, Fiammes with the red oval labels are easy to find. Ideally, you'd use Campagnolo "no-Record" hubs, from 1960-1965. Most of the ones I've seen are high flange, but I bought a tied/soldered wheelset for an Eroica California build from a Classic Rendezvous pal last year, with no-Record low flange hubs - the first ones I'd ever seen.

It seems logical that there would be as many low flange versions around, but it may be a fashion thing; the shift from high to low flange is roughly synchronous with the career of Eddy Merckx (1965-1978). I suppose the change in Europe might have reflected improved road conditions; the change in North America was probably a "ride like Eddy" thing.

You've got a lot of options in tires, of course. An old frame like that has a ton of clearance; it looks like you could get 30mm in there, and maybe even wider. Challenge has several wider models in road tread ranging from 27mm (Elite, Strada, Strada Ultra, Paris-Roubaix, Paris-Roubaix Ultra) up to 36mm (Strada Bianca), and a number of other models in cyclocross/offroad treads.

If you want to go the luxury route, Dugast and FMB do a range of sizes from 23-30mm in cotton or silk.
And if you're going to keep the existing paint (and maybe go the preservation route on the decals; I would if it was me, but I'm a retro-fetishist): Skinwalls only, please!

- Peter in Berkeley CA, where all the French bikes who've lived virtuous lives come to die

wrk101

To me on a bike with that age, I consider faded paint and some decal wear to be a major PLUS. I am a patina guy. It has taken over 60 years to develop that patina. People try, without success IMO, to fake patina.

Stevensb 

Thanks to all who chimed in.

The bike is beautiful and as @wrk101 says, the patina is genuine and a feature.

Somewhat reluctantly, I have decided to pass on purchasing the bike as it is too large for me to ride comfortably and it would become an expensive piece of wall art if I proceeded.

The seller was able to locate all the appropriate parts with the exception of the crankset.

Cheers.

Brad

bikemig 

I am grateful that bike is not local to me or I'd be sorely tempted.

Stevensb 

Nothing online but if you would like to PM me some contact info I can pass it on.

cheers.

Brad