I bought and sold many a Bertoni, distributed by and designed by the people at Lawee, the Univega importers/designers. Before that , they were, along with the olkens of Cambridge, Ma, one of, if not the original importers of Raleigh and Motobecane. Since Bernie Kotlier was instrumental in the Bertoni project (which incidentally were said to have many if not all models produced in Bianchi's corse Reparto area) Bertoni might be an Italianization of Bernie's given name.
WEe still have most every model, some never unwrapped. They started with a simple cromor unit with mixed Campoy and Universal, and other italian parts, and went to the SLX with many deluxe'd Campy and Cinelli bits fully pantographed. They used the Cobalto instead of thenDelta brakes.
One model was a labeled Vitus aluminum framed bike.
I had one of their exquisite and colorful catalogs at the Show n tell at the cirque.
Larry Black Mt Airy, Md.
David Cowie wrote:
> I have a Bertoni Superlight that I purchased new (NOS) as a frameset. I
> was told by the dealer that it was built in the Bianchi factory by
> employee's Bert and Toni.
> Anyone support this?
> Nicely built and a excellent ride w/full Super Record.
> I haven't seen another.
>
> David Cowie