THE special BOTTECCHIA SPECIAL - INTRO

Several Bottecchia bicycles have made their way into The Old Shed.  At the time of this writing, an early seventies Special, with bent top and down tubes, waits, patiently, for some restorative attention.  A second Bottecchia Professional or Giro de Italia frame set, acquired through trade from a fellow collector in the US, just might arrive, in the mail, today.  But, there is one more Bottecchia, the most recently acquired, to add to the list.

Ten days ago, or so, I made the deal to trade some vintage components, for a late sixties or early seventies Bottecchia Professional.  Just a few days after striking that deal, the cosmetically challenged special Bottecchia Special, surfaced.  Now, there is nothing really special, about a Special, which, for the most part, is close to mid level, in the company's line up.  However, upon inspection, I noticed that the one featured, was considerably different from any other Bottecchia Special, that had come my way.

The chromed plated head tube lug work was unlike any other that I have ever seen on any bicycle, let alone a Bottecchia.  It was these unusual, or special lugs, that helped me offer a name to this old Italian bike.  Introducing the Special Bottecchia Special.

The Italian quick release paint had, well, released!  Huge patches had peeled or flaked off of the frame set.  However, and though covered with a patina of dried lubricant, mixed with dust, it was obvious that the chrome was in pretty good shape.  What little surface oxidation existed would vanish with a wee bit of elbow grease, coupled with a bit of know how.

Bottecchia bicycles, needless to say, are of Italian origin.  Octavio Bottecchia, the first Italian to ever win the Tour de France, was born in 1894 end achieved cycling racing fame in the early 1920s.  His professional racing career was cut short for undisclosed reasons and, in 1926 he began building bicycles under the direction of Teodoro Carnelli and the Bottecchia bicycle was born.  Octavio's death in 1927 left the company in the hands of the Carnelli family who would bring the Bottecchia name and bicycle into the 21th century.  Bottecchia bicycles are still a familiar name in the bicycle industry.

NEXT - THE special SPECIAL FIND