Re: [CR]Paramount anniversary model and components

(Example: Production Builders:Pogliaghi)

Date: Sat, 21 Apr 2001 13:27:06 -0700
From: "Marc Boral" <mbikealive@earthlink.net>
Cc: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Subject: Re: [CR]Paramount anniversary model and components
References: <l03130302b707146c4545@[216.144.8.251]>


Paramount 50th Anniv. frames suffered the same misfortune as the Campy 50th gruppo did. Both companies stated that there would be a limited number made. Paramounts said only 500 frames would be made, and Campy said only 5,000 would be made. Both companies reneged. Campy made 15,000, and Paramounts at least 750. I don't know of any exotic road bike that was manufactured purely as a wall-hanger. Even the most exotic Italian superbikes (24k Cellini w/wood rims, Cinelli Laser, 24k Gold and Silver 50th Guerciotti, etc.) were meant to be ridden. My personal opinion is the Paramount is not even close to the same caliber as the bikes I just mentioned. However, the gold plated fork is a beautiful touch. What's sad is the Paramount's use of Shimano dropouts. Makes me gag just thinking about it. I've got a couple of the 50th Paramounts new in the box. However, it's been years since I've seen them. But I recollect that the forks were clear coated after being gold plated. Can anyone confirm? Typically gold plating is only a few microns thick, unless it is a real quality job. So, if there is not protective clear coat, the plated can easily be accidentally removed by polishing.

Marc Boral

Tom Hayes wrote:
> This question, or information quest, may be out of the date-range for the
> CR list, but the spirit of it, I hope, falls within its parameters.
>
> A friend of mine recently picked up a NOS, never-been built, Paramount
> anniversary frame and fork, black with gold plated front fork, no headset
> or bb. He would like to know, if these frames and forks were purely meant
> as wall-hangers, were there specific components or grouppo that went with
> the frame and fork, and was there a specific number of these made? Also
> whether what I have heard about or seen written (it all becomes foggy in
> this guy's brain) that the gold plating was terribly thin and was
> all-too-easily removed by cleaning or polishing.
>
> Thank you.
>
> Cheers.
>
> Tom
>
> Tom Hayes
> 18585 Munn Road
> Chagrin Falls, Ohio 44023
> hayesbikes@nls.net
> hayes@jcu.edu