1970s Gillott Restoration — Eroica Italia Commission
Built for Britain's Golden Age of Racing
By the 1970s, A.S. Gillott had established a reputation as one of Britain's finest frame builders. Handcrafted in London from Reynolds tubing, Gillotts were known for their elegant lugwork, responsive handling and association with serious club riders and racers.
This particular frame was commissioned with a clear purpose: to create a bicycle worthy of Eroica Italia, the world's most celebrated vintage cycling event. Rather than restoring an existing complete bicycle, the project centred around building a machine that felt entirely authentic to the era while being ready for modern-day adventure.
The Build
Starting with the original Gillott frameset, every component was carefully selected to reflect the type of specification an ambitious rider might have chosen in the mid-1970s.
A fully rebuilt Campagnolo Nuovo Record groupset formed the heart of the build, complemented by a collection of period-correct finishing components sourced specifically for the project. The frame was refinished in Gillott red and detailed with recreated decals based on original references.
Each element was chosen not simply for historical accuracy, but to create a bicycle that captured the spirit of British racing's golden age.
The Result
The finished Gillott is more than a restored frame; it is a complete expression of a particular moment in cycling history.
Elegant, lightweight and mechanically refined, it reflects the type of machine that would have been admired outside club runs and race headquarters throughout the 1970s.
Built for the white roads of Tuscany but equally at home on British lanes, it demonstrates how a thoughtfully commissioned bicycle can honour the past while remaining a joy to ride today.
Start your restoration
hello@bellsbicycles.co.uk
0203 355 0108