In a message dated 9/28/2004 7:09:22 PM PST, chuckschmidt@earthlink.net
writes:
Bikerdaver@aol.com wrote:
> The Specialissima (aka Superleggera) was Bianchi top end model for 1983.
I don't really understand you're calling a "Superleggera" a "Specialissima". The term is not interchangable. Can you provide reference to a Specialissima model Bianchi?
Specialissima was used for a model name in the 1960s. None of my catalogs mention a Specialissima after that. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ---- Chuck- I have had a chance to exchange an email with the seller. I agree with you that when I go back and look at all the info that we are discussing, it seems clear that its really come down to a matter of sematics. So the seller is callling it a Specialissima/Superleggera rather than just a Superleggera? We need to call him on "bad" labelling at the very worst, or at least that is what I might do! I knew that there was an interchanging of the Specilissima/Superleggera names over the years and regret that I got tripped up when I first made the CR list posting.
But I will also disagree with you. The Specialissima name appears in many
sources that go way beyond the 1960s and is not only interchangeable with the
SuperLeggera model, but associated with others as well.
1) If you look at the 7th photo down from the top in the posting
<http://ebay.com/<blah
eN
ame=STRK:MESE:IT>>
you will clearly see the Bianchi "Specialissima" decal on the right rear
chainstay. Ask the seller for a close up, as I am sure he will provide one.
2) If you look at the 1987 (off-topic) catalog, page 4, you will see a bike
called a "Specialissima Giro". Thats 3rd down from the Bianchi's top line up,
but as you can tell, they were using that term well into the late 80s.
3) I used to own a 1988 (off-topic) Superleggera. I know for a fact that that
particular bike was 3rd down from the top for that year as can easily be seen
in the Bianchi catalog.
4) I have seen a copy of a Japanese 1984 Bianchi catalog that has a model
called the "Specialissima X-3" being introduced that year. I know that particular
model was brought into the US as a "Team Bike" as well, but it is Not listed
in any 1984 US catalog that I have ever seen.
5) The 1987(off-topic) Moreno Argentin replica is not listed in the 1987
Bianchi USA catalog, but the bike still exists in spite of that!!
So in sum, when we put our confusion about sematics aside, my short
response is that WE NEED TO DEPEND UPON ACTUAL PHYISCAL EXPERIENCE AS A SOURCE OF
KNOWLEDGE. NOT ALL KNOWLEDGE IS CONTAINED WITHIN CATALOGS.
Think about it for a moment, do you think pro racers sit around and read
catalogs to figure out what their team bikes will look like? I don't think so.
cheers-
Dave Anderson
Cut Bank MT