|
"This powerhouse Italian marque was prominent in all
aspects of cycling in the pr-WW2 era.
Formerly at Viale Abruzzi, 42 in Milano.
Gloria was founded in
1922 by Alfredo Focesi in Milan. Already in the 1920's Gloria bikes
were coming with the brand-typical lily lug adornments. It was quite
common for the bikes to have lilies budding off of the fork crown
onto each fork blade; from the head lugs onto the head, top and down
tubes; from the seat lug onto the seat and top tubes; and from the BB
shell onto the down and seat tubes, as well as the seat stays. The
brand shield shows a stylized AMF at the top of the shield, with a
scroll across the center saying Gloria and then Milano with a little
daisy-like flower at the bottom. The bikes were highly regarded, and
it was at Gloria that Ernesto Colnago
first apprenticed."
"The brand itself first gained fame among racers when Liberio
Ferrario became the very first Italian amateur road world champion.
He rode a Gloria. This was in 1923 (one year after Focesi had
started production!)"
Steven
Maasland |
