Now that Wool Jersey is back up, it's once again easy for me to just say ... Romani pics here: <http://www.wooljersey.com/gallery/fujifish1/MarksVintage/PiemmePista/ >
...That is, a 1970s Romani built pista frame with the PIEMME shop name, Pi Emme being the initials of shop owner Pietro, in the Reggio d'Emilia area, Italy. Steven Maasland may have more info on Romani.
Ciao, Mark Agree Southfield MI USA ~ ~ ~
Date: Thu, 17 Sep 2009 19:12:43 -0500
From: Wayne Bingham <blkmktbks@gmail.com>
Subject: [CR] NOW Cortina Rollers and Romani
To: dave martinez <dmart84815@yahoo.com>
Cc: CR List _ClassicRendezvous@bikelist.org_
(mailto:ClassicRendezvous@bikelist.org)
> Cortina brand rollers, made in Italy?and probably not in Cortina?(same
as Palo Alto rollers). Good condition; faded paint- some rust, needs belt.
The sealed aluminum rollers spin freely. $20.00, local pick up only, will
not ship. Pics availible.
> Regards,
> David Martinez<<<<
Cortina was the "house brand" for Mel Pinto Imports (MPI). The Cortina roolers were antually made in the Parma region of Italy by Romani. That's the same as the Romani frame building operation that supposedly dates back to 1924 (I have Romani promotional stickers that say "Made in Italy Since 1924". You can believe a sticker, can't you?). I have to assume that the Palo Alto rollers also came from Romani, since Romani built contract frames for both MPI and Palo Alto.
The interesting connection here is that I've had a couple different conversations about Romani lately, and have been trying to get more information about Romani frames. I only recently learned that Romani built the Cortina rollers, while in a conversation with Mr. Pinto about Romani frames. In general, I think we hear very little about Romani in vintage bike circles, which just generates more questions, at least for me. I built up a used Romani frame for a friend many years ago, but I don't think I took any pictures of it. I remember it as being a pretty nice frame. Not outstanding or special in any way, but a nice, if somewhat generic Italian frame. I was recently sent pictures of another Romani frame, after the owner contacted me at MPI.
I'd like to learn more about Romani, and would also like to see more pictures, if anyone has information or pix to share.
Oh yea. If someone on the CR list buys David's Cortina rollers, I'll
send them a new replacement belt at no charge.
--
Wayne Bingham
Lovettsville, Virginia USA