June 19, 2018
When the shop quieted down in the winter months, Mike Barry Sr. worked on custom Mariposa Bicycle orders and restored vintage bicycles. If he had the time, he would also restore some of the bicycles in his vintage collection. This 1953 Bianchi is very similar to the one used by Fausto Coppi to win the 1953 World Professional Road Race Championships in Lugano, Switzerland. Mike Sr wrote an excerpt about it in his book: A Life with Bicycles:
"At the London bike show in 1952, the Dunlop Company showed a movie that features all the highlights of the 1952 cycling season. I thought that it was the most wonderful movie I had ever seen. My hero, the track sprinter Reg Harris was featured but I was completely captivated by the shots of the Tour de France winner, Fausto Coppi climbing the Alps and Pyrenees. I was immediately a devoted fan of Coppi and of his wonderful Bianchi bike. This bike is very similar to the one used by Fausto Coppi to win the 1953 World Professional Road Race Championships in Lugano, Switzerland."
In 2010, the frame was resprayed in the classic Bianchi 'celeste' colour and assembled with period correct parts. It has not been ridden since, is in excellent condition and available for sale>>
Magistroni crankset
Campagnolo Gran Sport Derailleur 
Universal Brakes
Sheffield Pedals