The origins of Bianchi celeste

[Mike Muz]

Hi folks,

A curiosity for you

Does anyone here know this colour actually came about?

Wanting something to stand out? An accident?

I was just pondering this earlier. Trek seem to be trying to get in on the act recently too, with a very similar colour on some of their bikes.

Is it protected legally? Just wondering, no more

Thanks

Mike

 

[Excel]

'erm......I'd heard from an unimpeachable source that Celeste was the favourite colour of a pair of his wife's knickers so he decided to immortalise that particular shade!!!

or to quote Wikipedia "Bianchi bicycles are traditionally painted Celeste (pronounced che-les-te in Italian, Se-lest in English), a turquoise also known as Bianchi Green, (and sometimes, incorrectly Tiffany Blue, a trademarked colour). Contradictory myths say Celeste is the colour of the Milan sky, the eye colour of a former queen of Italy for whom Edoardo Bianchi made a bicycle (the crowned eagle of the company logo is an adaptation of the former royal crest) and that it was a mixture of surplus military paint. The shade has changed over the years, sometimes more blue, then more green." I personally favour the story of his missus knicks!

 

[Midlife]

Back in the 70's the official Bianchi line was that it was the colour of the eyes of an Italian Princess............

Shaun

 

[The History Man]

Whereas Raleigh green is the colour of the rust on an austin ambassador?

 

[Rev Cannon Dale]

I think the real, and more boring reason is that they bought a load of army surplus paint.

There was an article in one of the rags sometime in the not too distant with a factory tour, and even the PR guy wasnt too sure.

It's not 1 specific shade, it varies, and also depends what material its going on.

 

[Mike Muz]

Re:

I think in the '70s it was a solid colour. My '90s one is a pearl, and the newer ones are solid colour again.

Hard to imagine that colour being used in the army. Maybe navy?

Mike

 

[Rev Cannon Dale]

Re:

http://www.cyclist.co.uk/bianchi/493/bi ... tory-visit

 

[Mike Muz]

Re:

Thanks for the link. I'll read it later!

Mike