Description

It is the number 26 of about 100 pieces of the legendary Colnago Mexico Oro from 1979. The Colnago Mexico was a further development of the Colnago Super and was intended to commemorate Eddy Merckx's hour record in 1972 in Mexico. The Colnago Mexico Oro had even thinner tubes than the other tubes that Colnago had only developed for this model in collaboration with Columbus. Apart from the light tubes, the complete frameset was real gold-plated with 24 carats.

The first Mexico Oro produced was presented as a clever advertising idea to none other than Pope John Paul II. Apparently, he wanted Colnago's racing handlebar to be replaced by a straight handlebar, but Colnago refused. After his death this bike was auctioned and Colnago was the lucky winner of this auction and put it in his museum, where you can still admire it today.

Ceremonial presentation of the golden gift to the then Pope

The Pope’s bike is now in the Colnago Museum

Apart from the light tubes and the real gold plating, this racing bike has all original and artificially made components such as milled chainrings, crank arms, brake levers, brakes, shift lever, seat post and stem.

The black saddle is covered in leather and branded by Colnago (unlike the pictures).

This racing bike is an absolute original one with racing history. I bought it from the first owner who had it in (racing) use for over 20 years. Therefore the gold-plating suffered a bit, but this racing bike tells a story ...