Bianchi Mega Pro Reparto Corse Pista Frame/Fork: 52cm - STEEL Deda Zero Tre - Pearl Celeste ~1998 (Near Mint & Unrestored)

I acquired this rare frame from an ex pro track racer here in Portland, who told me this was a special custom build for them.  It is a very special frame.  It was made in the Reparto Corse workshop, with specs outside of the production catalog bikes. It may be the only MegaPro pista frame in existence, as I can't find evidence of another one on the web or in catalogs.  This frame is made of high end Dedacciai Zero Tre steel, while the vast majority of Megapro Reparto Corse bikes were aluminum Megaset tubing or XL in Boron Steel.  The typical paint was Marco Pantani Mercatone Uno team colors, while this is classic Celeste with a pearlescent effect and deep blue decals.  

This appears to be a 1998 or 1999 model based on the colors and decals compared to the catalog (though this isn't a catalog bike and could have varied).  The top tube's Mega Pro decal I've only seen on bikes labeled as 98's.  The blue alloy headbadge indicates 1997 or later.  The 97 catalog showed colored chainstays on all the fully celeste bikes.

Condition

Near mint, with original paint and decals!  Zero dents, cracks, bends, rust.  The paint and decals overall show bike worthy.  It's glossy and clear throughout, with only a few chips and scratches. Among these that are worth noting: 1) wide scratch on bottom side of top tube below Mega Pro decal, 2)  Damage to the "hand made" decal next to the Reparto Corse decal, 3) small wear spot in the center of the top tube signature.  The racer I acquired this from has a massive garage full of bikes, and this one was ridden relatively little as a result.

Details

• Tubing: Deda Zero Tre 25 Cr Mo 4 steel
• Frame number: 51F1704
• Top tube: 52cm
• Seat tube: 49.5cm to top of seat tube
• Head tube: 90mm
• BB threads: Italian
• Seatpost size: 27.0mm