Benotto 3000 Filotex Road Bike 1978

Shown in the opening scene, of the legendary cycling movie A Sunday In Hell, the Benotto 3000 was one of the iconic bicycles of the 1970s and early 1980s.

Benotto was founded by Giacinto Benotto in Torino, Italy, in 1931. Like so many Italian bike manufacturers of the era, Benotto himself was a passionate racer and had first hand experience of the competitive world of racing. He knew of the need for high-quality designs.

Giacinto, together with his brother, researched extensively into the development of racing bikes for the future. However, early in 1948, the story of the brand took an unusual turn. Having read about the newly discovered oil in Venezuela, Benotto was keen to travel to South America in order to set up his classic bicycle brand and capitalise on this new found area of wealth.

The Benotto brothers reached port La Guaira in the summer of 1948, along with 200 newly designed Benotto bikes. As they went through customs, Giacinto explained his concept of introducing bikes to Latin America. Despite his best efforts, they weren't convinced. They maintained, 'here in Venezuela we don’t ride bicycles, we drive Cadillacs'. Despite this initial opposition, Giacinto became a successful bicycle pioneer.

The brother's brand would also sponsor a series of successful professional cycling teams. 11 World Championship titles have been won by riders of Benotto bicycles.

And for several years, the top model of the brand was the Benotto 3000.

The frame was made from Columbus SL tubing and only the best components were installed: a Campagnolo Super Record groupset

The bike we present here seems to be from late 1978 as it has a the famous Diamante chainstays with a rhombic diameter which have actually been a trademark of Ugo De Rosa. Fine details like the beautiful fork, the Benotto bar tape and the Campagnolo Super Record groupset leave no doubt concerning the thorough quality of this racing machine.

The frame still sports its original paint which is the very special gold of the Team Filotex. And who would have chosen this colour, when just a year before this frame was made, Francesco Moser had won the world championships on his Benotto Team bike.

A beautiful ride and a gorgeous sight, this Benotto 3000 can be instantly used since it has been thoroughly checked by our mechanics.