Folks, Here's some info that Vince Marazotti of the Italian Trade Comission down in LA had back on 12/07/93. While I have not spoken with Vince in over 8 years, I believe either he or a non-CR lister in Seattle has the orIginal copy. Either way, both good and dependable sources. It was translated some years ago using the Alta Vista translator, so bear with me:
<<<Thank you and excuse us, as in this period we have a lot work and the time is always little. We do not product no longer that bicycle type of 1970, (frame type AQ35), but types more sophisticated and modern. About decalcomania we send you to parcel post without any cost from you, but instead of repainting is better to buy a new LERI! A little story: Our firm was born in 1989. My great-grandfather has producted hooves, but when he understood that horses were not so good mean of transport, he decided to product bicycles. Before my grandfather, then my father and my aunt and my decalcomania in 1960. Now I continue to product metals and bicycles. LERI is my grandfather names: *LE is Leopold (name) *RI is Rinaldi (surname) MIRELLA is my name. Thank you very much for interest and in six years we have intention to give 100 years celebration. If you come in Italy we will be happy to show you firm in Muggio and you can be welcome guest.>>>>
The letter is signed by a Mirella Rinaldi and the letter head reads CICLI OFFICINE MECCANICHE LERI 20053 MUGGIO, VIA VARESE 2. TRIBUNALE MONZA N.17317. C.C.I.A. MILANO. This address is consistent with what Joe listed. Other than that, I deem the rest to be true till proven otherwise. I found the mentioning of "my decalcomania" to be a point of interest. For those that have seen the decals on a Mirella, you'll notice their emblem is a shoulder portrait of a "classically" attractive woman; somewhere in her teens with quite the 1960s Jackie-O hair style. I don't have a copy of this decal, otherwise I could get a jpeg of it, (i'll check my Seattle source as well). The adult woman, Mirella signed the letter. Pardon my ramblings, but my mind conjures up images of some free-spirited girl pictured in the Mirella logo, and then wonders some 43 years later how that same girl was transformed into a modern company executive. Those crazy Italians sure know how to pour on the romaticism when they want to! I don't know when they started exporting them to North America, but according to Vince, LERI/Mirella stopped exporting somehwere in the late 70s. I have seen several models of Mirellas. They range in from what Joe has described below to a fully pantographed Campy models using SL tubing. In my considered opinion, I feel convinced that the workmanship of these bikes is a dead-ringer for Legnano, Gloria and Frejus workmanship/building style. This includes their welding style, lug styles, tube shape and cross-sections, geometry, braze-on usage, chrome usage, component selection, paint and decal quality. The tubing in question, AQ 35, was explained by Vince as follows: LERI TUBI AQ 35 LERI tubing AQ35 ACCIAIO SPECIALI Special Steel SENZA SALDATURA Without Seems DOPPIO SPESSORE Double Butted I also recall Vince stating that at some time LERI also made bicycle rims. This may or may not have something to do with the fact that all Mirellas I have ever seen, always had sew-ups, regardless of top-end or lower-end models. One last snippet of info, it would not surprise me if LERI is still making industrial tubing for other uses besides bikes. This is very similar to what happened to Falk (falck?); they presently make pre-fab tubing used in the water/waste-water industry. Well thats about all I know for sure. I am pretty certain of my sources, but if somebody has additional info, I would like to know more myself. Cheers, Dave Anderson Cut Bank--a balmy 4 degrees above zero--MT
In a message dated 2/11/03 8:23:43 PM PST, joebz@optonline.net writes: I have a Mirella which is actually for sale.
I researched a bit and the shop that made the bikes is called LERI in Muggio, Via Varese, 2, Tel. 039/794563. They still exist and I think still make bikes.. They also sponser a racing club.
The tubing seems to be double butted cro-moly of some sort. The frame is rather well made with Prugnat lugs and Campagnolo ends.
There is actually an Italian tubing company called L.E.R.I. but I can't imagine they play a role in this as they are a big outfit.
Anyway the bike I have is 55.5 X 56.5, silver and comes with a mix of Campagnolo Nuevo Record (mostly) and Gran Sport components, TTT bar and stem, Unicanitor Saddle, 700C clincher tires. I'd like $375 but I'll haggle and consider offers for the frame or partial components etc. Email if interested for details and pictures.