Chuck Schmidt wrote:
>Ted Baer wrote:
>
>
>>I am looking for a detailed serial number data base
>>for Bianchi Specialissima framesets.
>>
>>I searched the archives and could not find anything
>>aside from one post describing what the first three
>>numbers mean and what the second three numbers may
>>mean; this was quite helpful.
>>
>>The serial number on my Specialissima is engraved on
>>the seat lug--the front top "collar" section. This
>>one reads (if reading left to right while standing in
>>front of the headtube and looking towards the back of
>>the bike): 164532.
>>
>>The lugs at the head tube are chromed and it has the
>>integrated headset. Top of the fork is also chromed.
>>Campagnolo dropouts (chrome) front and rear. Right
>>rear dropout has the little hole for tension spring on
>>old Sport derialleur.
>>
>>Bike came with nice early Campagnolo 151's (non
>>anodized) and Campagnolo BB.
>>
>>Judging by the serial number of 164534, can anyone
>>figure out what year this frameset is? I'm guessing
>>1964.
>>
>>
>
>Ted,
>
>I have been a fan of Bianchi for quite a number of years and have never
>come across a data base for Bianchi serial numbers.
>
>I have quite a few Bianchi, spanning quite a few years: 1939, '50, '53,
>'61, '78, '85, '86, and '96, and not a single one of them has any number
>sequence that mirrors the year as far as I can discern.
>
>I'd guess that it is possible, but I think highly unlikely that the
>second and third numerals represent the last two digits of the year of
>manufacture for the sixties Bianchi Specialisima.
>
>Anyone else on the list have any info?
>
>Chuck Schmidt
>South Pasadena, Southern California
>
>.
>
As a data point.
My Bianchi Pista has Serial # 180929 on the BB shell and has a date of January 1981 on the gold colored decal on the seat tube. This would seem to follow with the pattern as it is conceivable that the frame was produced in '80. With the year eating up two digits it does not seem to leave much room for sequential production numbering for a manuafacturer the size of Bianchi. I was previously under the impression that the first digit of the serial # was the last digit of the year.
My other captive Bianchi are later, of Asian origin, with longer serial numbers that include letters.
Marcus Coles
London, Ontario, Canada