It seems to be common list knowledge what the Campagnolo timeline states: "1978 -- CPSC mandates changes to NR/SR. Included are a front derailleur lip,..." The "lip" seemed to be a clear post CPSC indicator. Bikes from before 1978 have to have a front der with plain cage and newer NR/SR equipped bikes have either the three or four whole front derailleur with the famous CPSC lip. Therefore I was astonished to find several Super Record equipped bikes from around 1976-78 with a "wrong" front derailleur without holes in the cage but with the lip! A derailleur which would be identified by most of us as a post 78 Gran Sport. Now I found a nice french book on eBay with lots of pictures (item 7195861151). The book has been printed in 1977, but all dated photos are from races from 1975. It contains a large photo of a Mercier bike with 1st gen Super Record rear derailleur ("PAT 75" clearly visible) and the "no hole" front derailleur *with lip*. Therefore I'm pretty sure that at least in Europe the front derailleur with lip (and without holes) was already available clearly before 1978 and it was part of the NR/SR Record groups.
Dirk
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Dirk Feeken
Heidelberg
Germany