Legnano main

Updated 12.17.2022 Click on images to see larger view

    The Legnano firm began as Vittorio Rossi in 1902 and began producing bikes in 1906.
    After WWI, the company was bought by Emilio Bozzi, who also owned the Frejus & Wolsit brands. In the late 1970s or early 1980s, the brand was sold/licensed to Bianchi and included sponsorship of a Pro team lead by Maurizio Fondriest.
    More recently, the Legnano brand was acquired again by the Bozzi family, who intend to revitalize the brand.

A Legnano history by Bianchi
Special thanks to Norm Hellman

"The logo of the Legnano brand is based on the warrior "Alberto da Giussano". Alberto da Giussano was an Italian legendary Guelph warrior during the wars of the Lombard League against Frederick Barbarossa in 12th century. A tradition, probably fabricated by 14th century Milanese chroniclers, attributes to him the deed of forming the "Company of Death" that defended the Carroccio of the League at the Battle of Legnano. The first historical citation of his name is in 1196. You can see the statue of Alberto da Giussano, in the Piazza del Monumento" Angel Garcia

Opinion by Mark Campbell (http://condorino.com/):
   "The 'real' Legnano bikes that built this most famous brand where pretty much done come the end of the 1960s . . . 1970, 1971 at the very latest. Their top of the line race bike was the 'Roma', later renamed the 'Roma Olimpiade' following Baldini's Gold Medal at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics. The less expensive 'Gran Premio' model was produced in greater numbers particularly for the North American market."
    "....the late 40's through to the late 60's the serial numbers for the 'Roma' and 'Roma Olimpiade' were always placed horizontally on the top and back or back side of the seat lug. The serial numbers for the 'Gran Premio' only appear in the vertical orientation on the right side of the seat lug. The various 'Sportivo' models that were not imported to North America were also tagged in the vertical orientation on the right side of the seat post."
    "Having looked closely at numerous 'Roma' and 'Gran Premio' models through these key production years there is very, very little that distinguishes them. Both had Campy dropouts and the overall geometry and finishing quality is also pretty much the same. The fork crown and fork tubing profiles are also identical. When I get the chance I am going to weigh a 'Roma' and a 'Gran Premio' of the same size and year to see if there is any difference on that front."
    "But I am thinking that the reason for the different location and orientation of the serial numbers was so they could differentiate the 'Roma' and 'Gran Premio' inventory in the factory, and particularly before the frames were painted."

Warren Meade's possibly 1951 Legnano