Colnago C35 equipped with Campagnolo Super Record gold: it is not only an artwork, but it is also a milestone in the history of cycling technology. It was produced in 1989, as a commemorative model created in celebration of Colnago’s 35th anniversary. Developed from the work with Ferrari Engineering, it was one of the first frames to be manufactured using a carbon fiber composite and was equipped out with a gold-plated Campagnolo Super Record groupset.

Colnago C35 Campagnolo equipped with Campagnolo Super Record Gold
1989 Colnago C35 equipped with Campagnolo Super Record Gold

How Colnago C35 was born

Italian luxury sports car manufacturer Ferrari began using carbon fiber in their Formula One chassis during the 80s. In 1986, aware of the importance of gaining knowledge on materials outside of the bicycle industry, Ernesto Colnago met with Enzo Ferrari to discuss the idea of working together. An enthusiastic Enzo Ferrari told him: “Do you want to work with carbon fiber, this is a good idea: it will be the future.”

The C35 frame itself was manufactured at the Colnago factory in Cambiago (Italy) under the experienced guidance of Ferrari. The Ferrari Engineering badge is seen on the downtube of this C35, and it’s also visible on the legendary, exceptionally comfortable Selle Italia Novus saddle. To stand out from all the other C35s on the road, however, you really need an all-over mural of a Ferrari F50; enjoying a moonlit mountain road on the drive side, and carousing the beachside promenade on the other.

The Colnago C35 was liveried as stock in Rosso Corsa or black, but one enthusiastic owner decided to take Italian flamboyance to another level with a custom paint job.

Colnago C35 equipped with Campagnolo Super Record Gold - Gino Bartali
The legendary Italian cyclist Gino Bartali with Colnago C35 equipped with Campagnolo Super Record Gold. Photo: colnago.com
1989 Colnago C35 equipped with Campagnolo Super Record Gold - front view
1989 Colnago C35 equipped with Campagnolo Super Record Gold – front view
1989 Colnago C35 equipped with Campagnolo Super Record Gold
1989 Colnago C35 equipped with Campagnolo Super Record Gold
1989 Colnago C35 equipped with Campagnolo Super Record Gold
Gold-plated Campagnolo Super Record Rear derailleur
1989 Colnago C35 equipped with Campagnolo Super Record Gold - front brake
Colnago C35 equipped with Campagnolo Super Record Gold: The front brake is also gold plated.
1989 Colnago C35 equipped with Campagnolo Super Record Gold - fork
1989 Colnago C35 equipped with Campagnolo Super Record Gold – fork
1989 Colnago C35 equipped with Campagnolo Super Record Gold - crankset
The gold-plated crankset
1989 Colnago C35 equipped with Campagnolo Super Record Gold - front derailleur
Campagnolo Super Recod front derailleur.
1989 Colnago C35 equipped with Campagnolo Super Record Gold - brake lever
The gold-plated brake lever
Ernesto Colnago with Enzo Ferrari
Ernesto Colnago at Enzo Ferrari’s office (1986) photo: colnago.com

Sources

M. Özgür Nevres

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