Everybody has their Holy Grail...Masi, Herse, Pog..etc. Many of the builders like Faliero Masi and Ernesto Colnago apprenticed with Gloria. The bikes are stunning when they have their nickel plating and distinctive Gloria signage. The parts, when original, are all stamped Gloria and are, I believe mostly of Ambrosio and and Magistroni manufacture. Brakes are Universals. I have seen brakesets stamped Gloria but am unsure they are the same manufacture in that they seem to show up more on British bikes in my experience. Deraillers.. I've seen Simplex Tour de France and Vittoria. I havn't seen one, but I don't doubt that they also could be had with Cambio Corsa. Edward Albert, Chappaqua, NY, USA
Edward Albert, Ph.D.
Prof. Emeritus, Sociology
Hofstra University
>>> <gholl@optonline.net> 03/08/08 9:05 AM >>>
Like many of us, I followed this sale with interest, although I did not
bid.
Unlike the experienced collectors, I have seen very few Glorias-the
finest being a beauty shown by Ken Denny at the Larz Andersen show last
year, and the worst shown to me by Ernesto Colnago himself!
Ed Albert avers that this bike is a "holy grail" of bike collecting. I
don't dispute this at all-but rather would like to know why it is so
admired?
Furthermore, although I'm hesitant to open old wounds, it seems to me
that the current example would need extensive restoration- before
deterioration destroys a frameset already in poor condition. Of course,
I would hope that the restoration would be properly done.
I would also lilke to know what parts would be appropriate to make this
frameset into a complete period bike?
Thanks for any and all information,
George
George Hollenberg MD
CT, USA