Standing in the corner of the Chauvel Cinema in Paddington was the private Colnago collection of Theo Drivas, now estimated to be worth AUD$300K. It included 14 rare Colnagos, nine of which have never been ridden. They include some of the rarest bikes made by Ernesto Colnago's venerable Italian firm, including a Master Piu, the gold-plated extravagance that is similar to the bike that Colnago made for Pope John Paul.
Drivas has secured unridden examples of Colnago's first-ever carbon-fibre bicycles, such as the C35 road and time trial bikes, dating back to 1989, and a pristine condition 1983 'Saronni' model, made in honour of the great Italian cyclist Giuseppe Saronni. The 'Saronni' is unique among Colnagos as it features the frame builder's named pantographed on virtually every component of the bike.
Other stand-out models in his collection are limited edition 'Colnago for Ferrari' range, including a CF1 that he purchased from a Chinese businessman who bought it as an "accessory" for his Ferrari F40 car.
Drivas' everyday bikes are either a C40 or C50 and he is very much still an active cyclist. He represented Greece in cycling from 1967-73 on both the road and track, and began his collection only several years ago. "It's not a matter of money," he said, "it's more about my passion for these bikes and cycling ... feeling the wind in your face as you ride down the road."
Born in Australia to Greek parents, Drivas returned to his family's homeland after completing primary school in Australia, and he remained there until he finished secondary school and his representative cycling career for Greece in 1973. He returned to Australia to achieve a degree in engineering before entering the property development business.
It could be said those ventures have been rather successful, as Drivas is now a principal of the Dockside Group, which owns several popular nightspots and venues on the foreshore of the Harbour city. Hence, he's been able to fund his passion in a way that is the envy of many cyclists.
But he's also a businessman. "I reckon these bikes have doubled in value in the past three years, while these original unused parts, I know they've tripled," he said, indicating that maintaining a collection of rare bicycles could also be a worthwhile investment.
http://www.cyclingnews.com/newsphotos.php?id=/photos/2008/news/jun08/jun20news2Movie/gallery-jun20news2Movie
Drivas has secured unridden examples of Colnago's first-ever carbon-fibre bicycles, such as the C35 road and time trial bikes, dating back to 1989, and a pristine condition 1983 'Saronni' model, made in honour of the great Italian cyclist Giuseppe Saronni. The 'Saronni' is unique among Colnagos as it features the frame builder's named pantographed on virtually every component of the bike.
Other stand-out models in his collection are limited edition 'Colnago for Ferrari' range, including a CF1 that he purchased from a Chinese businessman who bought it as an "accessory" for his Ferrari F40 car.
Drivas' everyday bikes are either a C40 or C50 and he is very much still an active cyclist. He represented Greece in cycling from 1967-73 on both the road and track, and began his collection only several years ago. "It's not a matter of money," he said, "it's more about my passion for these bikes and cycling ... feeling the wind in your face as you ride down the road."
Born in Australia to Greek parents, Drivas returned to his family's homeland after completing primary school in Australia, and he remained there until he finished secondary school and his representative cycling career for Greece in 1973. He returned to Australia to achieve a degree in engineering before entering the property development business.
It could be said those ventures have been rather successful, as Drivas is now a principal of the Dockside Group, which owns several popular nightspots and venues on the foreshore of the Harbour city. Hence, he's been able to fund his passion in a way that is the envy of many cyclists.
But he's also a businessman. "I reckon these bikes have doubled in value in the past three years, while these original unused parts, I know they've tripled," he said, indicating that maintaining a collection of rare bicycles could also be a worthwhile investment.
http://www.cyclingnews.com/newsphotos.php?id=/photos/2008/news/jun08/jun20news2Movie/gallery-jun20news2Movie
