This Colnago C35 is virtually one of a kind. Equipped with a gold-plated 35th-anniversary Campagnolo Record groupset, distinctive Colnago five-spoke wheels, and a host of special edition Colnago-branded components from partners like ITM and Look, it is truly extraordinary.
The C35 frame is crafted from carbon-Kevlar composite, a product of the collaboration between Colnago and Ferrari between 1988 and 1990. It stands as one of the very first monocoque carbon frames ever produced.
It features a gold-plated Campagnolo Record groupset, futuristic-looking Colnago wheels, and a finish in classic Ferrari Rosso Corsa.
The bicycle is currently cared for at Rapha’s London headquarters. Its owner has already received an offer of £25,000 from the Colnago museum, while several world-renowned auction houses have also expressed serious interest, believing its final price could climb even higher.
Its true market value is difficult to pin down, but for the right connoisseur, it is essentially a priceless object.
A Bold Design Ahead of Its Time
The curved top tube, combined with its diamond-shaped tube profiles, represents a bold piece of engineering—even without considering the fact it was built in the late 1980s.
The carbon-fiber/Kevlar frame was among the very first monocoque carbon frames ever produced—the primary driving force behind the Colnago-Ferrari partnership.
The tubes feature curved, diamond-shaped profiles, with flowing organic lines present all over the bike. When you remember it was produced in the late 1980s, you truly appreciate how forward-thinking its shape was.
Carbon fiber technology was still in its infancy then, with most carbon frames still using bonded lugs that mimicked their steel predecessors.
The complete bike weighs 10.12 kg, not exceptionally light by modern standards, but a respectable figure for its era.
A Testament to Italian Engineering
The frame is adorned with Ferrari insignia, signaling the quality, passion, and talent that influenced its design.
Ferrari logos are present throughout. The non-driveside top tube features Ernesto Colnago’s signature, while the Colnago clover logo appears on nearly every component.
The driveside chainstay holds the key to this bike’s rarity: the “Hors Ligne” badge. This marking was reserved exclusively for bicycles and cars displayed at the Enzo Ferrari showroom in Maranello.
This specific color scheme—Ferrari red with white script—is believed to be one of only two in existence, making it even rarer than the more “common” yellow version.
The five-spoke wheels are among the bike’s most striking features. Fitted with tires that cost £3,000 to source…
Those Wheels…
The Colnago carbon five-spoke wheels are stunning up close. The rim flows seamlessly into five broad, rounded spokes. At the center, Colnago’s proprietary hubs ensure smooth operation.
Naturally, these wheels are designed for tubular tires. The tires themselves are the only components that are not original to the bike.
This pair of New Old Stock Vittoria Corsa CX tubular tires cost the owner £3,000 to procure, ensuring the bicycle was restored to its factory specification.
A Heart of Gold
The groupset is breathtaking.
If the frame is the bicycle’s heart, then the groupset is its lungs, stomach, liver, and kidneys.
This Campagnolo C-Record 35th Anniversary groupset was produced in very limited numbers, likely only in the double digits. The set fitted to this C35 is in immaculate, as-new condition.
The 52/39t chainrings and 13-23t 8-speed cassette appear completely unscathed. The brake levers, calipers (still fitted with their original Campagnolo pads), cranks, and derailleurs are all pristine. The components are 24K gold-plated, etched with intricate Campagnolo detailing.
Devil in the Details
The longer you look at this bicycle, the more unique details you discover.
One of the most appealing aspects of a bike like this is the small, subtle details only visible upon close inspection.
Virtually no part on this bike is a standard off-the-shelf component; every single piece received special treatment from either Colnago or Ferrari. The Look pedals and ITM stem are both etched with Colnago logos, and the saddle—featuring carbon rails in 1988, no small feat—carries a Ferrari emblem on its nose.
These minute touches underscore just how special this bicycle is. It is not merely a machine for riding, but a rolling piece of history, a testament to a legendary collaboration at the dawn of the carbon fiber age.
