The Gambato Gran Sport series is a set of Argentinian 'derivatives' of classic Campagnolo models. While I am extremely unclear about the dates, I consider that they can be roughly grouped into three groups:
- a first series closely based on the 1953 Campagnolo Gran Sport. These Gambato Gran Sports possibly date from the late 1960s.
- a second series based, less closely, on the 1963 Campagnolo Record. These Gambato Gran Sports possibly date from the mid to late 1970s.
- a third series based, very, very, roughly based on the 1980 Campagnolo 980. These Gambato Gran Sports possibly date from the late 1980s and early 1990s.
The oddity is that, in each case, the Gambato models seem to date from about a decade after the relevant Campagnolo originals. It seems that the designs got lost in some kind of Argentinian time warp - perhaps in the boot (trunk) of a DeLorean.
I think that this is a, roughly 1980, example of a Gambato Gran Sport, from the second series above. It has the following features:
- the look, styling and geometry are similar to a Campagnolo Record (1020) from the mid 1960s.
- the knuckles are bronze castings.
- the b-pivot bolt is a 'large knurled' headed item, unlike a Campagnolo Record (1020) from the mid 1960s.
- the p-pivot bolt is also a 'large knurled' headed item, also unlike a mid 1960s Campagnolo Record (1020).
- there is a cable adjuster.
- the p-spring cover cup between the pulley cage and the p-knuckle casting is black and 4mm deep.
- the main parallelogram looks well chromed.
- the pulley cage plates also look to be well chromed.
- the pulleys are plastic and branded 'Gambato'.
- Derailleur brands: Gambato
- Country: Argentina
- Date of introduction: 1980?
- Date of this example: unknown
- Model no.: unknown
- Weight: 284g
- Maximum cog: 28 teeth (a guess)
- Total capacity: 24 teeth (another guess)
- Pulley centre to centre: 46mm
- Index compatibility: friction
- Chain width: 3/32”
- Logic: top normal
- B pivot: unsprung
- P pivot: sprung
- Materials: largely steel, with bronze knuckles
Ref. 1770
