Tyger Johnson, America's first Cyclo-Cross Champion (1963) purchased this 1961 Bianchi Specialissima new, in 1964. In 1968 he won the Illinois State Road Championship, riding Bianchi's Campagnolo-equipped, top-of-the-line bicycle. At one point Tyger's Bianchi was repainted by Oscar Wastyn Senior, who gave the bike a black headtube with the names of Tyger's children lettered by hand. A few years later, Tyger chose a Schwinn Paramount as his daily rider, passing the Bianchi on to his wife Jane. Through the years the Bianchi (Serial No.161283) was sold off, changing hands several times before Tyger and I found it in a collector's failed project pile. It had been stripped of all paint, save for the headtube, bearing the names "Joel" and "Naomi." My friend Charlie Dixon lovingly restored Tyger's Championship Bianchi, and on August 9, 2024 Tyger signed the Celeste top tube for posterity.
Tyger finds his beloved Bianchi Specialissima on August 22, 2021:
Tyger finds his beloved Bianchi Specialissima on August 22, 2021:
Three years later, Tyger and the complete Bianchi are reunited:
With great seriousness, Tyger signs his bike:
Tyger Johnson's 1961 Bianchi Specialissima ©Daniel Dahlquist