Actually, I sold my 74 Flandria and it now resides in Japan. I think that both Jerry's and mine were one level down from the team bikes used by the likes of Maertens. Recently I had the opportunity to speak with Maertens in Belgium. He has a team bike for sale that I was offered. It dates from 74 and has, with the exception of the rims, all origainal components. Mostly Dura-Ace. Mearsures around 54cm. He is asking quite a bit and, although it is definitely his, its provenance as to the races it was it was a bit iffy. If anyone is interested I could put you in touch and even send some pics. Freddy could sure use the Euros. His final asking price was 3500 Euros but, if he still has it he might be more negotiable. If interested please contact me off list. BTW...I have no financial interest, nor do I want one, in this deal. Edward Albert Chappaqua, NY
Edward Albert, Ph.D.
Professor Emeritus of Sociology
Tel: 914-238-3628
>>> Jerome & Elizabeth Moos <jerrymoos@sbcglobal.net> 08/25/06 11:01 AM
>>>
List member Eddy Albert and I each have an early 70's Flandria team
replica, with full original Dura-Ace gruppo, like the ones used by
Freddy Maertens and Michael Pollentier. I think they came from the same
eBay seller, who had bought the stock of a closed US bike shop. No
tubing stickers.
Regards,
Jerry Moos Big Spring, TX
thteach@sonic.net wrote: There were a few high end flandrias brought in to the USA at the peak of the 70's boom along with the more affordable entry level ten speeds. I worked at a shop that sold Flandrias. They had one top end model. A 1972 model as best as I can tell, now. It was made of Ishiwata tubing. It had Nuovo Record components except for Mafac Racer Brakes, Mavic Monthlery rims. A really awful saddle. SR Custom Bar and Stem. They couldn't sell it in my home town. Too expensive. The build quality was ok. The design features make it on par with peugeots, gitane, and motobecane - second tier. It was too small for me. The shop owner was persuaded to loan it to a aspiring racer and apprentice machinist who did some drillium on it. I got to know this person and we went out on training rides together with him on the Flandria.
I looked for years trying to find one in my size. I got mine due the the good graces of a fellow CR list member who bought a pair in one auction and sold me the large one that wasn't his size. Ebay has had a few top end models in recent years with at least two that were NOS still in the box.
I have never seen a 60's and 70's era top end flandria with white panels like the team riders used. Because of that and looking at the details between the pro bike photos and what Flandria sold as its top line bike, I believe that the team contracted with another builder who then painted the frames with the red frandria team colors. It's just my theory and speculation, though.
Todd Teachout
Hercules, CA