Product Description
A survivor unrestored example of a very early frame produced in Eddy Merckx's workshop. This particular frame is already internet famous, as it was previously owned by Loose Bearings and shown built up on their blog. Eddy opened his workshop in March 1980 with the help of Ugo De Rosa; before then Merckx branded frames were built by De Rosa, Masi, Colnago, Falcon, Pela, Kessels, etc. Eddy's first frames were available in Europe only until mid 1981 when they became available for export to North America, meaning this one was originally from the European market. These earliest frames are called Professional "Signature" models, primarily named for the Merckx signature on the seatstay caps, only available for a few years when the "EM" logo came in. Further, this model is identified via the flat crown with "Merckx" which again quickly changed to the EM logo, top of BB shell cable guides, yellow background lettering to the head tube and seat tube decals (changed to white background in 1982), Gipiemme cube brake bridge, Campagnolo Porta Catena dropouts, and long tang lugs.
The frame number is A7 E239. ‘A’ indicates the ‘Professional’ series (I've also seen it described to indicate which employee built it). "7" indicates 57cm (c-t) seat tube. "E" for early frames and also indicates a post March 1980 production model. "239" would seem to indicate the 239th frame produced in the Merckx factory.
The color is one of two (or three?) blue tones Eddy used in his first couple years. This is the lightest blue, and could be described as a metallic silvery blue. It's almost a bit pearlescent. A thoroughly Euro racing bicycle color!
Condition
Lovely unrestored condition! Zero dents/dings. Original paint and decals overall look glossy and clean, with a smattering of paint chips and scratches. This is by no means a "near mint" frame, but it would be nearly criminal to consider repainting it considering it's historical implications. The worst of the paint wear is from chain drop, as well as a section of chips on/near the non-driveside downtube decal. There are plenty of other chips but they're all relatively small. Aside from the ND downtube decal, the decals are in excellent to near mint shape.
Details
- Frame number: A7 E239
- Tubing: Columbus SL lugged steel
- Top tube: 56cm
- Seat tube: 57cm (c-t)
- Head tube: 148mm