This story starts with a different bike, a 1980 Univega Super Ten that my daughter bought at a garage sale for $10. It was all original and in mint condition. Red lettering on black paint looked great. But with a steel frame and wheels, it is an absolute brick. I lightened it up by changing out some of the components, but still it was a bit of a drag to ride. It just wasn't as rideable as I remembered my old Gran Turismo, though it reminded me of it a lot.
Eventually, I started to wonder why I shouldn't get another Gran Turismo. Surely, some had survived. A quick check on eBay revealed about 3. The ones in good condition were over $400, plus another $200+ in shipping. Not doable. But there was one just on the other side of Kansas City for considerably less, and the distance was drivable. It was the right color, but a bit rough. It weighed on my mind until I decided to get it. The seller had dropped the price. I contacted the guy on eBay, and set up a time to pick it up. I drove across the entire state of Missouri for this bike, and it was an absolute beater. There was no hope of keeping it all original, particularly as the front wheel had been replaced by a steel Weinmann. I took it completely apart. Normally, I just touch up the paint on a bike restoration, but this one was too far gone. I had the frame powdercoated. A lot of the components were badly damaged. The front skewer was so bent that the wheel would not turn properly. I substituted several components for better ones I had on hand and bought some new, such as tires, cables, brake pads, gear cluster, chain, brake hoods, rear derailleur. I bought a donor bike for a better (aluminum) but not original front wheel. I had to remake the decals myself, which was its own ordeal. As the original color was "classic gold", I went with a gold theme for some of the smaller parts. It was three months from start to finish.
It feels pretty light and rides smooth, at least down the driveway. I haven't taken it on a longer ride yet. I don't have many pics of my original bike, but this one shows my roommate and myself leaving on a bikepacking trip in 1983. I sold it the following semester.
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