Product Description
If you know what you're looking at, you understand this holy grail level price! This is a damn near immaculate show bike quality example of the very first version of the 1st gen of Record (later Nuovo Record) from 1957. It is a true piece of Campagnolo and bicycle history that is beyond rare. This was the first "modern" front derailleur design for Campy, all previous derailleurs were matchbox and pushrod style. No comprehensive Campagnolo collection is complete without this one.
It is positively identified via the chrome steel plated bronze upper arm, three flat head screws on pivots (two rear, one front), extra long cable stop without slot, and extra large triangular front body. In 1958, the flat/minus screw pivots turned into bare pivots like the later models, and cable guide had a slot disappeared.
There is some speculation this was a prototype model. The 1960 Campagnolo catalog n.14 shows the 2nd version without minus screw pivots, and the previous catalog was in 1955 with no mention of Record. Hiroshi Ichikawa aka Hi Campy is the recognized forefront expert on early Campagnolo history, and attached is a screenshot from his website showing the first 3 versions of the Record FD.
Condition
VERY low miles, near mint to mint show worthy shape! This is likely among the nicest 1957 FD's in existence. All chrome is just about perfect. The 3 chrome flat head screws are flawless. Chrome upper arm is just about pristine, with nothing worth noting. Outer cage plate has zero actual wear, though does have the lightest microscratching. Inner cage plate has light to moderate chain rub marks, though zero chrome flaking. Clamp bolt nut and cable cinch bolt are near mint+ with just the slightest tiny marks here and there. Limit screws are mint. The alloy clamp and body are near mint+, with just the slightest little marks here and there, none worth mentioning. The screw that holds the cage plates together at the end has minor tool wear. The spring has a tiny bit of dirt and SLIGHT surface corrosion in spots I couldn't reach well without disassembling. This will clean up easily once you remove the spring, if desired. All in all it's not NOS, but aside from inner cage plate wear it is damn close.
Details
- 1957
