This frame was probably made in 1984 in Southend. Later, it was taken to the USA for the 1985 trade show in Long Beach, California. It remained in California for many years, but was eventually returned to the UK, cleaned up, and built up with period-correct components.
The color scheme is light blue enamel with dark blue headstock, chrome ends.
Components are Campag 175mm Strada single chainset, Campag pedals & clips, Campag Super Record rear mech, modified ttt bars on ttt adjustable stem, Campag Record brakeset, Mavic 700c Monthillery Route sprint rims on Campag Record S/F hubs, Blue suede Turbo saddle on Campag Super Record seatpin.
The lug pattern appears to be Scorpion Bonum [the Editor has seen a photograph which appears to name this, as well as three other frames, a Novus Ductor, although they had quite different lug sets; I suspect that they were simply hung on the same hooks to be photographed and nobody thought to take the sign down.] There is no braze-on for a front mech on the seat tube or for a front gear lever on the down tube; the frame features vertical drop-outs with no mudguard eyes, and very close clearance for sprint rims. The curved seat tube gives the frame a very short wheelbase of 37 1/2". For comparison, a typical Hetchins tourer might have a wheelbase of 41 1/2" and a typical road race bike 40". This means it was designed as a time trial machine. It is a very rare design.
Some photos courtesy of Bob Johnson.
Below: the frame's debut at the 1985 Long Beach Calif trade show.
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