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1982 “Ferrari Red” Bianchi

Vintage Ferrari Red BianchiThis weekend I became the owner of this 1982 Bianchi. As soon as I saw it I knew it needed the right home. I have not determined the exact model yet. However, I have a suspicion that it might have been either a custom build, do to the fact that it’s forks are chrome, or a Bianchi Sport SS. From all my research it appears that stock Bianchi forks would have probably been the same color of the bike.

It has full Shimano Golden Arrow components, the predecessor to the Shimano 105 components. These components were available from 1983-86, but Bianchi released them with their 1982 Sport SS Road Bikes. So it’s very possible that this bike is a Bianchi Sport SS. One thing that is confusing is the “Red Ferrari” color. It was a limited color, which is one of the other reasons I believe it might have been a custom order at the time.

Shimano "Golden Arrow" 105 components

The frame is an Ishiwata Magny frame (Manganese-molybdenum alloy double butted tubing). A really good frame from Japan. There is a lot of discussion on the Ishiwata Magny frames, but the overall consensus is that it is a very well made frame and is becoming a more collectible item. According to Sheldon Brow, “While Bianchi is best known as an Italian brand, it was having bicycles built in Japan to its specifications for several years in the late 1980s. These were particularly nice bikes, with better workmanship than the Italian models.”

Bianchi Magny Ishiwata

Visually, it is a beautiful bike and rides very well. I have taken it out on some nice rides since getting it and I am shocked at how well it feels. For being 30 years old the frame and components feel amazing. It shifts really nicely and it feels light pedalling up hills. I have an early 1980s Benotto which I am restoring and the Bianchi’s frame geometry looks almost identical. Which is another confusing matter. The Benotto frame is highly regarded for its geometry.

Right now I am really enjoying this beautiful bike. If you know anything more about this bike, or if this page helped you identify yours, I would love to hear it.

I replaced the bar tape with some nice comfy yellow Specialized tape. I am looking for some brake hoods to replace these, but in the meantime, electrical tape holds them together nicely.

Vintage red bianchi

Classic Bianchi Decal

Shimano Golden Arrow levers

Shimano Golden Arrow shifters

Velvet leather Corsaire 315 San Marco

Edoardo Bianchi decal

Nice Shimano brakes.

Shimano Brakes

Front chrome forks on vintage Bianchi

Ambrossio 19 Extra rims. I really like these rims. I have a set of Mavic’s too, but I prefer these. Ambrossio 19 rims

By Jonathan Whiting

I enjoy sharing what I am learning and hopefully it's of interest and help to you. I live in Canada with my wife. Follow me on Twitter.

24 replies on “1982 “Ferrari Red” Bianchi”

My bike is identical in every way.
Bought it new in 1982/83 in Hamilton, Ont. At the time, I was told it was a Bianchi III.

I have a very similar model. Also Ishiwata, red with chrome forks, and Shimano Golden Arrow components. I thought it was probably around 1986 from the date stamp on the components. Ambrosio 19 Extra rims. I’ve been cleaning it up, polished up the rims and spokes. replaced the old cracked brake hoods with new white ones, added white bar tape, white brake cables, a white selle italia turbo saddle, and michelin whitewall dynamic sport road tires.

Looks exactly like the one in your pictures although not in as pristine condition. The frame unfortunately has some chips and rust at the joints, as do the forks. But otherwise it rides like a dream. I’m thinking about trying to sand off the rust and touch up the finish. I don’t want to do a full repaint. Any idea where I could get a matching touch up paint?

Hi Richard, I don’t know what the color code is for the red. It’s a nice color. Some auto shops are able to match the color if you bring in your bike. Let me know how it goes

I have that exact same bike in same colour. My dad purchased it for me back in ’83 and I’ve kept it in mint condition since. It has the golden arrow components and the forks are chrome, so to answer your question, it is not custom made.

I have what seems to be the same bike but it is fitted with Campy super sport derailer and gear shifts and straight red forks. I bought it second hand back in the late 80’s from a starving student who worked in a bike shop. I’m wondering if the student switched out the Japanese components and fitted Italian?? Did any of these Ishiwata limited 022’s come stocked with Italian components or only Japanese?

Hi John, it’s possible. It was common for people to customize them right out of the shop when they first purchased it. It’s a very nice frame.

Hi Jonathan,
Thanks for posting this Bianchi info and pics. I’ve got one in Ferrari red only mine has a CrMo sticker and presumably Italian tubing (based on the “tubi rinforzati” sticker) and a mix of Japanese parts: Suntour derailleurs, SR cranks, Dia Compe brakes, etc. I’d guess the frame and bike was assembled was made in Japan. Just wanted to add some info to thread.

Great blog btw. I like the violin story!

Hi Markus, thanks for sharing about your Bianchi, sounds like a really nice bike! This model is one of my favourite classic bikes I’ve ridden.

Mine is of the same era, and like Ryan’s, mine has the chrome rear stays as well as the lower half of the fork. The fork is stamped with the ishiwata name. I just stripped it down for paint as the chips are rusting on the main tubing. But I have to say, the chrome on the fork is amazingly fresh, even after thousands of miles. I rode mine in NYC for years, then converted it into a single speed with just a front brake. It’s so spindly, it’s like riding a gazelle.
I am going to have it painted silver, with the lugs red, to remind me of what the paint once was. it has no more decals, no original components, which I believe were sun tour and dia compe brakes. My seat post is fused to the seat, and that’s torn. It need some tlc and I am giving it to her.
The next iteration is a flip flop rear hub, single speed, deep vee velocity rims, bull horns and all components will be black. It will be stored indoors and used to ride between buildings at work. I’ll be passing this one down to my children.

Thanks for the info on the manga frame.

Awesome, sounds like it will be a thing of beauty when you’re done with it. Be sure to post a link to a pic when done.

im eyeing a vintage bike and i come across one whos selling a Bianchi. It rides pretty good. but i didnt bought it yet because i want to do a research first about the bike.

Hi Jonathan,
Had to read your bio – love your story…quite funny too! I wish you continued success – you do wonders for your generation’s reputation (I graduated mid 80s from university – you do the math…)
Anyhow – I stumbled on your blog as I was trying to google info on ‘Magny Ishiwata’ frames as I’m selling my ’83 Bianchi on Kijiji…just read about your ‘red ferrari’ Bianchi and hoping you can tell me if this is a ‘good’ thing or is the ideal Bianchi 100% bike parts made in Italy?
Mine is in MINT condition & trying to sell it to a WORTHY new owner. Mine’s been stored indoors forever (i.e. ’83…). My friend & I each bought a Bianchi intent on doing some serious riding back then, it never panned out. Hence my MINT bike…as it is a ‘beautiful looking’ bike it’s kinda hard to let go…that’s why I want it to go to a deserving new home who will take care of it but also be finally enjoyed.
So, I wish to be better informed if someone tries to minimize its value (for better price) or ask me questions about it….it appears from what you wrote that the Ishiwata tube frame does not DEVALUE the Bianchi brand – is this correct assumption??

Thanks for reading my comment & seriously, keep doing what you are doing Jonathan you seem like a decent guy…
Anna

Hi Anna,

Thanks for your kind words. For some collectors the ideal Bianchi is made in Italy. It used to be because of the Italian Chromoly frames, but over the years the quality of the Magny Ishiwata frames has proven to be very good and so the street value of the Magny Ishiwata Bianchi frames is getting closer to that of the Chromoly frames for collectors. If someone is buying it for an everyday rider then the fact that it’s an Magny Ishiwata might be considered a good thing as it is a very good frame to ride on. Hope that helps.

I have the same bike, with the shimano components too, however mine is electrical blue, and looks a little older than yours.

It depends on the condition of the bike, but I’ve seen these prices vary. A fair estimate is around $225, but I have seen people ask $100 to $375. It really depends on what people are willing to pay for it. It’s a nice bike to ride, so people are usually looking for one in good condition with good tires and components.

I just picked up this exact bike today after falling in love with it on craigslist. I’ve been trying to identify it as well and your post has really helped! Mine doesn’t have the shimano components to it though but the frame and chrome forks match exactly.

I really like it too. The geometry of the frame is really nice. What components are on your frame?

Mine has Suntour Cyclone MK-II front and rear derailleurs with NGC brakes. It does have the same Ishawata frame as yours. After reading a bit more about the parts I’m coming to suspect that mine is a Sport SS model from probably 1984 or so (This is apparently when Bianchi started using the MK-II components). Another thing that differs from ours is that I noticed that your seat and chainstays are full red; mine are almost full chrome sans the matching red on the seatstay.

As you’ve also said, this bike rides beautifully. It takes to about anything with ease and efficiency.

Here’s a pic of mine (nice to see you rocking the yellow tape too) http://i.imgur.com/oPxMQ.jpg

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