As an enormous purist, one thing I can’t stand is when people present their “extremely rare Colnago with full first generation Campagnolo corsa record groupset” and everything is a mix of all the c-record era parts except the rear derailleur as everyone knows that one by now (and even there are several versions in existence but that one is a blog post for in a couple of months…)
So here is a small list of the “c-record” era front derailleurs that can help your build just a bit closer to “100% period correct”
1st gen 1983-85
Note that the clamp-on version was available up until 88 in most bicycle shops, it took a long time for Campagnolo to adjust them to the second gen, why? No idea, we assume that it has to do with the the mounting bolt placed so low and frame builders not being able to put the derailleur hanger in a position where you can mount a super record, c-record or victory all at the ideal position and still being able to change gears on a large variety of chainrings. Where you wouldn’t have a problem with this as you use a clamp on derailleur of course.
- extra big notch at the top
- 2 horizontal pivot points at the back (little plate after those points gets lost often, be careful with that
- fixing bolt is lower than other models, where it is mounted in the middle
- chainguard is chrome plated, pivot plate is anodised, body is polished but not anodised
- can be found on bikes with first gen deltas or super record brakes (cobalto brakes on rare occasions)
fun fact, those are the derailleurs you can find on the 100th anniversary bianchi centranio from 1985 and the 35th anniversary gold plated Colnago groupsets (good to know as there are more and more replicas of these groupsets made without mentioning that they did not came from the Colnago factory like that)
Second gen: (late 84?)-91
Note that there are slight variations between 85-91 in the “glossiness” of the anodising, if you hold a couple of them next to eachother you might notice that but that is some next level determination, we might get into that later on
- compacter design
- mounting bolt in the middle
- diagonal pivot points, no plate
- harder to dismantle
- can be found on bikes with cobalto brakes or 2nd, 3rd and 4th gen delta brakes
3rd gen 1992-94
This one was designed for the 8 speed ergopowers, Shimano had introduced the dura ace 7403 8 speed STI groupset in 91 which shifted lighter and quicker than campagnolo so they had to catch up a bit, this little bend in the chainguide helps shifting more precise with the front derailleur
Note that in this period some people still preferred downtube shifting so it can be found on an 8speed setup with DT shifters
- almost equal to the second gen
- small bend in the chainguide for improved shifting performance
- can be found on bikes with 5th gen delta brakes or the improved dual pivot brakes
And then there is the one at link below. This could be just before #5 because it has all of the associated features, except that it has the slotted, chromed adjuster screws from what I’ve been calling #3 and #4. Of course, it’s not a combination of features that I’ve seen anywhere else, so it may just be a normal #5 where someone swapped in the earlier screws. Plus, it has the late finish on the spring (like #6), which really argues against it being a transitional type between #4 and #5.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/276594561656?_skw=C+record+front+derailleur&itmmeta=01JCE48BRDC2BBGFKBVZJMC9JN&hash=item4066521278:g:YocAAOSwZNVms35E&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAA0HoV3kP08IDx%2BKZ9MfhVJKmtCQQnsZTm6ELaoTS8A%2FY5lwXnggPJU8wv8tT1sW1IrMnsaYb6QCkz%2Fyzke%2BcZePyCsklo08RGAKTo35frJKeIi4zKlcyxjCUgaKVSukcArJEhBljsUujtTOs%2BP9tBrDumoVRpb1pYRDgN74wRBzC%2FUcOMK1p9g5SWlL7MC8q5aDRe5RwQxdpfNWE4dBw8RTSWM59moHXGLa1h5r1Fb0VY1Oy6lN5EPyToLUN9L2qCPVfmgAfPe9t6pJB6YhbvlMQ%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR668ocTjZA
Okay, the one at the link below matches the #6 that I have at home.
The eBay #7 may have the wrong (too early) cable screw.
Also note that the intro the “made in Italy” version with the stainless adjuster screws, hex-shaped spring rest, and beefier mounting screw was attended by the addition of an anodized finish on the braze-on body. All early b/o C-rec fronts had bare aluminum bodies contiguous to the anodized arms. When those bodies got oxidized, they looked like crap, and when you polished them to bring them back to life, the finish was too bright compared to the satin outer arm. Every change they made seemed to be to address a problem., though I did NOT like the profiled cage on #7. The more elaborate profile on #8 (1994) , worked nicely. It was designed to work with the pinned chainrings, new (for Campagnolo) at that time, in the 3rd year of Ergopower.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/387532671005?_skw=C+record+front+derailleur&itmmeta=01JCE48BRDZ9AEYECCXD2A7894&hash=item5a3abf481d:g:V~0AAOSw9yFnGqKw&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAA0HoV3kP08IDx%2BKZ9MfhVJKkokCQ8qNe04ocL0LL%2BbWpuPP%2BRgSFJT4bw%2B1nyfqFwH80vnUb481TpLgvl2qH9WCjNu0us0po8CCb%2BF5s0IXK0%2FU6Gwt0zha5sk3q7uSjV78nTRGMA9CikhMv5WdTiv1Hkt9I%2BimdcooNSPwHClag9RsjjJzcLM77%2Bh3hpdALhO6enh99uwovJLnkox9QbtSVFl6fWqzbO6cYq2Z6RgmtWnQH25Mg5Wyd9oOxRCZAVnhce07TvJkXRXVLY4CMgzog%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR6y8ocTjZA
Also, your #8 should have a different cable screw. A chunky 9mm hex with 5mm Allen socket built in. An early variant of that screw also had a slot for a (very) big flat blade screwdriver.
C-Record fronts. Ugh. I have 8 different types at home, just for the braze-on version. I agree that your first-gen is, in fact, the first.
After that (#2), the early low mount retained the 4mm adjuster screws with no springs, just some plastic goop in the threads,
Then (#3), there was a version with the newer 4 mm (M4) screws, slotted heads and chromed, with springs.
Then (#4), there was a version like the previous, but with the longer knurled pin with a retaining clip.
Then there was the one you call second-gen (#5), with the “made in Italy,” stamp, the stainless Phillips/flat adjuster screws, the hexagonal spring rest, and the less conical mounting bolt.
Then (#6), I have one as above, but with a dull finish on the spring and a conical cable screw that takes a 4mm Allen. My example has a slight ripple on the inner cage.
Then (#7), I’m sure that I saw one like above, with a very distinct ripple that was not as elaborate as the last type that you show.
Like this: https://www.ebay.com/itm/145720911228
Then (#8), the version you show as third, is in my opinion the last type before they completely changed the design for 1995.
OK, so I have 7 of these, but I do remember #7 and there is one on eBay now, at the link above. The one wrinkle is that my #6 has a newer cable screw (4 mm Allen screw) than the #7 on eBay. It’s possible that my #6 should have the normal 8mm hex head screw, but that later screw does appear sometime before #8.