FWIW...there is a modern pedigree of the Aquila. They make both road and mtn models in both steel and aluminum. Many of Torontos police ride the offroad version. I have no idea whether they have any direct connection with this "classic" Aquila maker.
Warren Young Toronto
>In a message dated 1/5/2003 11:18:42 AM Eastern Standard Time,
>losgatos@ix.netcom.com writes:
>
><< 1970-1973, but one of the things I remember is my first "CR"-style vintage
>bike, actually the first decent ten-speed I ever owned. It was an Aquila >>
>
>That is very interesting ... That is the very first reference to Aquila bikes
>I have heard EXCEPT in the Flying Dutchman branded frames/bikes as sold by
>the Big Wheel in Denver...a number of CR members & BOB list folk bought
>those frames, all part of that shops close down/blow out of a huge number of
>shop-worn but NOS frames lefty in stock (the store closed 3-4 years ago...)
>The dropouts on some (not all) frames were stamped "Aquila" and I am pretty
>sure Jack Van Gent, the owner, had told me that most were made for him by
>Aquila in Italy... Of course I had never heard of Aquila but since then there
>has been a lot of speculation about those frames.. Some hinted at the frames
>actually being sourced from South America...and others think they were not
>really 531 and Columbus tubing but sport fake decals... Who knows?
>But that is the first time I have heard of a company named Aquila and that
>they might be Italian?
>Anyone else heard or even owned an Aquila?
>
>
>Dale Brown
>Greensboro, North Carolina