The Gambato Gran Sport series are a set of Argentinian 'derivatives' of classic Campagnolo models. The oddity is that they seem to date from the late 1960s to late 1980s, whereas the original Campagnolo derailleurs date from a decade (or two) earlier. It seems that the designs got lost in some kind time warp - perhaps in the boot (trunk) of a DeLorean.

It’s as if the 1960’s never happened in Argentina - perhaps they didn’t.

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This, unlabelled, derailleur shares all its components with a Gambato Gran Sport, except for the outer parallelogram plate. The symbol on the outer parallelogram plate is eerily similar to the stylised flying bird logo used by the airline Lufthansa (in fact it appears to be a direct copy). Lufthansa's logo apparently depicts a Crane and was designed by Otto Firle. It may or may not be relevant that Shimano's most upmarket derailleur in the 1970s was called the Crane.

If anyone knows of a bicycle brand or a bicycle component brand that uses a logo like this, please let me know. Until I learn otherwise I am going to consider this derailleur to be a Gambato product. Its features are:

• the look, styling and geometry are disturbingly similar to a Campagnolo Gran Sport from after 1953.
• the b-pivot bolt is a 'small countersunk' headed item, very like a Campagnolo Gran Sport from after 1953.
• the p-pivot bolt is a 'large rounded' headed item, unlike a Campagnolo Gran Sport from after 1953.
• there is a cable adjuster.
• the p-spring cover cup between the pulley cage and the p-knuckle casting is chromed and 3.5mm deep.
• the main parallelogram looks chromed - but the plating is a little rough.
• the pulley cage plates look to be plated, but not obviously chromed. Perhaps the plating is nickel.
• the pulley cage plates have Gambato's signature extra reinforcing bars.

Finally, I am proud to say that this is one of the rustiest derailleurs in this collection. The b-pivot bolt is firmly rusted into the position shown.

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• Derailleur brands: possibly Gambato
• Country: Argentina
• Date of introduction: 1972?
• Date of this example: unknown
• Model no.: unknown
• Weight: 297g
• Maximum cog: 32 teeth (Campagnolo’s unlikely figure for the Gran Sport)
• Total capacity: 26 teeth
• Pulley centre to centre: 45mm
• Index compatibility: friction
• Chain width: 3/32”
• Logic: top normal
• B pivot: unsprung
• P pivot: sprung
• Materials: largely bronze, with steel parallelogram plates