Was doing some research and came across this being sold. Things seemed a bit odd so I contacted the seller and stated that I did not think it was a Colnago "Super"; but maybe another model (that I've never seen before). I asked a couple questions (there were only 7 photos) and referenced by photo some of my "Supers" of the era to show differences. I will divulge what I asked after seeing the photos (only 5 were worthwhile) because if you had, have, or have seen a Colnago of that era you would be asking the same questions and requesting more photos as I did.
The frame was stated to be repainted (looks like 50 coats, or powdercoat; way too much) and no image of original before paintwork was done.
Worse part: $1500 for frameset w/headset (shipping is included though!)
Those seat stay caps are too sharp and the Colnago club on the BB shell looks a little weird. On that type/era of BB shell cutout the bottom of the leg on the club should be flat?
Yes, custom ordered on many longer frames. Now I need to check my weird Saronni's guides (checked, it has clamp-on guides; stock was 3 so probably removed at some point).
So I asked the seller after seeing the photos if the fork was original to the frame; reply was yes. The guy was irritated that I asked the most basic questions amyone thinking of spemding even $100 would ask.
I requested photos showing top view of seat cluster and tops of head lugs. He stated that he was an experienced bike guy having worked on 300 bikes over the past 20 years; not many for doing it "professionally" as he claimed. His response to my photo request: I do not know what you mean (remember he has 20 years of"experience"). I had to explain like I was talking to a child, and again, I provided images as to exactly the views I needed.
Here is what he finally provided for imagery:
So much excess paint and a horrible highlight job; but it was "professionally" painted (by Helen Keller!).
Nice non-view of the lower lug which was of prime interest to me! I made that very clear to him; but better photos were not forthcoming. I think je was either irrotated at being proven wrong or that the bluff was called. All he could do was come up irrational replies statingyself as the amateur (even though he claimed going to Classic Rendezvous and other sites. I did not need to search anything.
So you must have noticed that the "generic" fork in his original sales photos now changed to an actual later '70s-early '80s Colnago fork. His reasoning was that the fork took weeks to rechrome. Well then why not wait until the frameset is complete before posting images of the incorrect fork in the first place.
Anyways, even with what I believe to be an authentic Colnago fork, the frame misses on many points judging from my 20 minutes of experience: 1) "spearpoint" stay caps never appeared on any model from 1968 to present; even the "Sport" had fluted caps. 2) Never seen a "clubs" cut-out on the seat lug except the earliest (pre c. '72) frames. 3) Never seen that BB drain before.
I'll discount any other issues (wrong decals, guide #, etc.) since those 3 features are alien to any Colnago frame I have; have previously owned, and/or seen made from '79-'83 (assume approx. year range of that frame).
Thanks for making me feel sane, as sometimes I wonder if I am completed deluded at times seeing and hearing sellers defend what they are unfamiliar with.
Final consensus with all agreeing: it is a No Go.
I do not believe it is a Colnago frame; it is one of the more convincing aside from the obvious. It really makes me want to take an old Prugnat lugged frame with fluted caps and do a little conversion on it to see if it will pass muster after a few choice modifications.
What was really funny was seeing an actual early '70s Mexico in very good original livery for half the cost!
the Sport had slotted BB drain (at least some did), the Export is a Super geometry with blank stay caps and a "non-specified" Columbus tubeset (AELLE?). Neither had those "spearpoint" stay caps.
