Jesper
Retro Guru
I want to mention that:
1) I own this bike (again!); as I sold it to Howard a some years back and took into the fold again on a wheel and deal for some other bikes he wanted (common between us after 10 + years of riding and working together).
2) There has been some "mystery/confusion" regarding the bike Saronni rode to world champ victory in late September '82. As usual; blame it on Colnago to get their own history wrong. The museum piece states "Super Acciaio" on a small placard, and yet on another Colnago webpage (not sure if it is still in existence; it's been 10 years or so since I saw it) their own staff member stated referenced the bike as "New Mexico". I have seen the Saronni bike in person while in Italy many years ago and more recent photos of it, and it conforms to the Super details (aside from the newly introduced crimping on top and down tubes, and chainstays).
I think (without confirmation) that the Nuovo Mexico was "rushed" into production (possibly in late '82?; was it already being built earlier that year?) to take advantage of Saronni's success on the new "Profil" frame (I can only assume that Saronni had been riding that style frame in training and/or races weeks to months beforehand); and why not.
I think the first Nuovo Mexico frames was made in '82 (without confirmation!) but made for the '83 model year; though, definitely being made in '83 for the '84 model year. There seems to still have been some non-"Profil" old style Mexico still in the mix using older details from the late '70s-very early '80s (I have a very odd frame c. '82-'83 with original Super chainstay decals, but Mexico frame features, no "COLNAGO" stamp on stays either; go figure!). Last year made was for '86 model year by all accounts with the ESAMexico (6 crimps) being it's successor in the '87 catalogue.
The very first models ('83-'84?) only had 2 crimps on the down tube (like the Super "Profil" of Saronni), later models ('84?-'86) had the 4 crimp down tube. I have had both designs and the early model had no chainstays crimps or indents (unlike the Supers); and only the 2 crimps each on top and down tubes. As with anything Colnago changes were being made throughout the year so very hard to nail down exact dates, and catalogues are not always accurate to the current items being made even for the models pictured. It does seem that the crimped Mexico models surplanted the crimped Super models since those Super "Profil" frames were not shown again in any catalogs after '85, but the original round tube Supers (with new frame details) were still being made throughout the 80s (and Super Piu into the '90s).
I have been trying to document details of these bikes for years (decades!; owned first Super-used, in mid '80s) but without knowing exactly what date (at least month and year) the frame was actually produced it is an impossible task, and yet I still try. I presently own 7 steel frame Colnagos from in and around the time frame discussed.
I do hope that helps to clarify (and also muddy the waters) a bit more regarding that transitional period in the early to mid '80s regarding Super and Mexico history.
Please, if someone has more and/or disputes my knowledge, experience, logic, estimates, and/or state of mind (I already know I'm nuts for trying this long!) with any anecdotal evidence, examples, etc. I would be grateful to read and see what you have and know. Jesper
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