Re: [CR]Italvega / Torpado - Bertoni?

(Example: Framebuilders:Bernard Carré)

From: <FujiFish1@aol.com>
Date: Fri, 19 Nov 2004 15:30:25 EST
Subject: Re: [CR]Italvega / Torpado - Bertoni?
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
cc: chuck_kichline@yahoo.com

Hi Chuck, Italvegas were all made by Torpado (or through Torpado, if they farmed anything out back then). Italvega means "Star of Italy", and the project was the business design of Ben Lawee, here in the US. He moved on and began using bikes built in Asian areas, and named them Univega. Since the first Univegas kept the diamond lug windows effect, I would guess that the original idea to incorporate the design, was Ben's and not Torresini's (the name behind Torpado). Ben also continued to bring in Italian bikes, branded Bertoni. From what I have heard, Bertonis may have been built at or through Bianchi. I know nothing more about that project (too far from Torpado interest). :)

Ciao, Mark Agree Southfield MI ~ ~ ~

Date: Fri, 19 Nov 2004 05:07:47 -0800 (PST) From: Chuck Kichline <chuck_kichline@yahoo.com> To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org Subject: [CR]Italvega / Torpado - Bertoni?

If Italvega is generally (always?) Torpado, does it follow that Univega Bertoni bikes are also Torpado? Or is the Univega - Bertoni link questionable?

My Univega has diamond cutouts, while my Bertoni frame has what I'd describe as "Triangle hearts". http://chuck.kichline.com/bikes/bits/Bertoni/head.jpg

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Chuck Kichline
Austin, TX