Italvega Registry
Updated 10.2.2022
Notes:
1) The Superlight (SL) model frame set was introduced in 1973, or possibly late 1972, and ceased being supplied in about 1976, or possibly as late as 1977. It featured Columbus tubing, drilled and counter-sunk Campagnolo dropouts and fork tips, and Diamond windows in the tops of the head lugs and seat lug, fork crown tops, and fork reinforcement tangs.
It is unknown if production occurred throughout the timeline, or if frames were completed earlier, and stored till build-up. It is also unknown if serial numbers were stamped at time of production, or at time of painting. It is also unknown if painting occurred soon after production, or at time of shipment.
Pearl White was the first known SL frame color, followed by Rose Gold (formal name unknown), then finally Special Silver Blue.
2) Super Speciale (SS) model discussion and documentation here, refers ONLY to the “new” version, which is structurally identical to the SL described above. (The original or “old” version Super Speciale frame sets are very different, with their own subtleties, so they are not included in this study.)
Most examples of SS frames are Silver Green, but at least two examples of an original Dark Blue (formal name unknown) have been studied. This blue may have been the last SS color. Submission of additional examples may yield more exact conclusions in the future.
3) The chainstay decal font is difficult to read, but it indicates that the frame was “DESIGNED BY Torresini Italy”. This refers to Antonio Torresini, member of the founding family, and Torpado company president at that time.
4) Earliest examples have a 4-digit serial number sequence, stamped under their bottom bracket shells. Later examples have a 6-digit serial number sequence, flanked by star (*) shapes … as in Ital-VEGA, meaning Italian star or star of Italy. ALL 6-digit examples studied, begin with the number 4 (after the first star). This may designate the department (or contractor?) where the frames were built.
5.) Frame size is generally stamped on the non-drive side seat lug, denoting the metric center-to-top of seat tube measurement. However, at least one early example has the size stamped under the bottom bracket shell, on the down tube socket. Examples displaying a number / 5, indicate a half size.
6) The first version chainstay bridge is a plate, laterally arched toward the b.b. shell in center (allowing more forward tire clearance), and flat across the top and bottom edges, with three holes laterally drilled. All examples studied with this first type of bridge, have Diamond windows in the tops of the bottom bracket chainstay sockets.
The second version chainstay bridge is a plate, laterally straight, with peaks at the center of the top and bottom edges, and a Diamond cut-out. All examples studied with this second type of bridge, do not have any windows in the bottom bracket chainstay sockets.
The change from 4-digit to *6-digit* series, may have coincided with changes in the chainstay bridge and bottom bracket chainstay cut-outs. Submission of additional examples may yield more exact conclusions in the future.
7) Frame size is generally stamped on the non-drive side seat lug, denoting the metric center-to-top of seat tube measurement. However, at least one early example has the size stamped under the bottom bracket shell, on the down tube socket. Examples displaying a number / 5, indicate a half size. The matching number is usually stamped on the steer tube as well.
8) Two large relief cuts under the bottom bracket shell of early examples have very smooth edges, which seem to grow progressively rougher and less finished, later in the project (perhaps as the cutting tool dulled?) This does not rule out that particularly bad cuts, or those in specially selected frames, might have been smoothed out before painting. Smooth, apparently later examples do exist.
Italvega Registry
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