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It was said that in the 1950's the Italians assumed that any Italian product not marked 'export only' was rubbish -
Really‽ I just took a 1956 Regina freewheel apart today, wonderful crisp machining and still functioning perfectly. I took the hub apart as well, Campagnolo branded but manufactured by FB. The spindle and cones are beautifully made, some really high tolerance machining. The chrome on the hub centre is gone - I agree the Italian and French chrome was rubbish, but there’s a lot to love about pre Campag components from both countries.
absurdbird
That Bates (the £1200 'bargain')
The vendor says "it just wants to go faster all the time" - rather surprising considering both cotter pins are in the same way round so the cranks aren't straight! How can you take anything he says seriously?
Gnutti
As a youth I had some Gnutti kit - it was handed down from older club mates because it was rusty - in fact it seemed as though the chrome would fall off as soon as there was a weather forecast of light showers. It was said that in the 1950's the Italians assumed that any Italian product not marked 'export only' was rubbish - even some of the export stuff was just as bad!