Restored to its former glory
Mon, July 10, 2017 
The Campagnolo Company was founded by Tulio Campagnolo in 1933, so 1983 marked the company's 50th. Anniversary. To commemorate the occasion a limited edition special Super Record Group was issued, featuring gold plated inserts and special engraving.
One of these groups was presented to me, by Campagnolo with the understanding I would build a special frame to showcase the Anniversary Group at the 1983 Interbike Trade Show, held in Las Vegas. The bike I built is the one shown here.
After the show the bike was sold to one of my dealers, Cycles Olympic, in Diamond Bar, CA. I never heard of it again until around 2005. (The year I started this blog.) The new owner had bought the frame at a swap meet in New Jersey. It was a frame only, the 50th. Anniversary was gone. Who knows where?
It broke my heart, but there was nothing I could do about it. Like any other frame I built they are no longer my property, and I have no say over their destiny. But to buy such a bike that was built as a showpiece, then strip it of its parts, as if they are the only thing of value. And the frame ends up in a swap meet.
Call me overly sensitive if you will, but this was degrading. “Your work is worthless in other words.”
The sad thing is the original Campagnolo Group is probably now hanging on some lesser production frame.
In time I got over it, and at least the new owner appreciated the frame.
It got rebuilt with regular Campagnolo parts, and changed owners a couple more times.
Imagine my delight when this last week the current owner, John Ames, sent me pictures of this 1983 Criterium model, restored to its former glory with another 50th. Anniversary Group. John Is moving long distance and the bike is up for sale. I hope this time the bike will stay intact.
There were only 36 of the Criterium model built. The frames were built in Columbus PS (Pista Sprint.) A tubeset intended for building track bikes.
The head angle was 74 degrees, with 1 1/4 in (32 mm.) fork rake for quick but stable handling. The BB is also slightly higher.
People who own these say they ride and climb like you wouldn’t believe.
The asking price is $4,500, but it seems Campagnolo 50th. Groups alone are going for about that amount on eBay, I think the price is fair. Once again my interest is purely sentimental, not financial. The frame size is 57 cm (Center to Top.) and the frame number #9832. The paint is original.
I don’t usually get involved in private sales, but I feel John has done me a huge favor in restoring this one to its former glory. If we can find it a new safe and loving home, it will please me no end.
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Reader Comments (7)
devastatingly gorgeous bike. given that the frame was picked up, stripped, at a swap meet, one has to wonder if theft was involved, and perhaps the dissolution of the bike wasn't as intentional as it may seem.
i am curious about your decision to use the pista sprint tubeset. were other builders doing this for crit frames? what are the ride characteristics?
Ryan,
I tend not to think the worst of people, so the theft scenario while possible, I think it most likely the person who stripped it didn't know who 'dave moulton' was. This was back in 2005 or even sooner, and I didn't have the web presence I do now. It is the reason I have worked these last 12 years to improve that, with the Blog and the Registry. So when people find one of my bikes, and they know nothing. They can easily find it does have some value.
As for the build, I wanted to build a responsive bike, that handled well. The stiffer track tubeset gave those qualities.
Dave
Great story - thanks Dave
So cool to see this special frame get the original special groupset!
So is the bike on eBay? I can't find it. Or is this post the sales channel? Should interested parties just drop a comment? (It's not for me though, unfortunately...)
RubeRad,
The bike has been posted on the Dave Moulton Facebook Group page, (Link above.) It will also be offered on Classic Rendezvous Group site, It will go on eBay as a last resort. Anyone interested can email me and I will put them in direct contact. My email link is in the right column of this page.
Dave
Yow, that's a handsome rig!
Must make you proud as the dickens to see it again, in such a glorious state.
I had a 57cm pro crit that I bought in AZ am thinkin in 83 ish or maybe when I moved to AZ can’t remember, in any event it was a great bike. Sadly in my office warehouse in 98’ the fire scorched it, along with two tom ritchey mtb that he actually made. Anyhow I worked at two wheel transit in Huntington Beach and sold quite a few Moultons back when loved seeing a new frameset arrive, amazing work Dave. I think about you when I swing by my pals shop that makes bmx frames from scratch, you all are true artists !!!