[CR]re: pogliaghi pista

(Example: Component Manufacturers:Avocet)

From: "c. andrews" <chasds@mindspring.com>
To: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Date: Sat, 21 Apr 2007 23:09:49 -0700
Subject: [CR]re: pogliaghi pista

Sasha wrote, in part:

Sasha writes, "Now this is a find. Late 1950s/early 1960s Pogliaghi Italcorse Pista, built from Reynolds 531. Down tube is stamped with REYNOLDS TUBING, head tube with POGLIAGHI ITALCORSE, seat tube with RAP in a half circle, seat lug with serial #6844. I have never seen (nor been able to find) details of a Pogliaghi similar to this one -- this is an extremely early bike, the Reynolds 531 decal is of the type used in the first half century of Reynolds' operation. Pretty amazing."

*******

Not to rain on anyone's parade, but while the numbering of Pogliaghis is mildly ambiguous, a frame with that serial number is probably no older than 1964, if that, based on the numbers of actual Pogliaghis whose provenance is somewhat known.

While we don't know how many frames he made per year in the 1960s, the track tandem I own has a serial number less than 1000 frames away from Sasha's, and it was made in 1967 or 1968. At 300 frames a year at that time (a not unreasonable estimate, Pogliaghi was in demand then, esp. by pro track riders), that would put Sasha's frame in 1964.

Also note that these frames aren't exactly undocumented. Frames very much in this style are pictured in a late 1960s Pogliaghi catalog that is reproduced on the CR site. I also have one, and have looked at it closely.

A 1950s Pogliaghi would be a fun thing to find, but I haven't seen one yet. Sasha's bike is VERY cool, no question about that...but it's not that old.

Charles Andrews
Los Angeles