The ITALVEGA brand bicycle line was designed, imported, marketed and sold by Ben Lawee (1926–2002) in California from about 1970 until the late 1970s.  Starting as a bike shop owner, Lawee imported Bianchi and Legnano bicycles, and was a distributor for Raleigh and Motobecane. Lawee also created the Univega and Bertoni bicycle brands.
   These Italvega bikes were built by Torpado in Padua, Italy; this company was owned by the Torresini family. When Italvega ceased production, Lawee had his new brand, Univega, made in Japan.

        Updated 1.6.2020         Model SL & SS Registry & Notes        Wikipedia entry