Torpado bicycles are of Italian origin with a history that reaches back to 1908.  They were offered in a fairly wide range of models, from the near entry level LUXE, shown here, to top of the line full Columbus Campy fitted racing bikes.

During the forties, Torpado bicycle supported the racing effort and some truly wonderfully crafted bicycles were born.  The fame and attention associated with successful racing attempts played its part in helping the bicycle's fame to reach the consumer.

Sadly, the Torpado bicycle, no matter how nicely made, never seemed to capture the public's imagination.

And those bikes that were most likely to end up in the consumer's hands were rarely the top dogs in the Torpado stable.  Most old Torpados surfacing today are of the LUXE design, the one presented here being no exception.

NEXT - FINDING THE TORPADO FIVE SPEED