Panasonic Team America Custom

Presenting the Panasonic Team America by Panasonic Individual Custom System (PICS). The bicycle built for one: you.

In 1988, Panasonic gave riders the ability to custom order their bikes. A choice between four bike models, thirty-five color designs, a multitude of frame sizes, and two names places. That’s thousands of unique combinations to pick from!

Their slogan: “Now bikers can be choosers.”

This individualism personalizes something that is already incredibly personal. A bicycle is not just a human-powered machine to get from point A to point B. It’s a chariot of adventure. It transports riders to familiar places and exhilarating new places. Being able to customize a bike in this way puts the heart and soul back into cycling.

This particular bike features a bold color story of Sonic Red, Sonic Yellow, and Sonic Black. The Road model is called “Team America”.

You are one-of-a-kind. Your bike should be too. Choose this 1988 Panasonic Super America and you are choosing to be a part of a legacy of originality.

This Super America is in incredible condition. It still wears all of its original parts from when it was purchased from Campus Cycles in Denver, CO in 1988, even down to the Panaracer sew up tires (when you look at the 1988 Panasonic catalog, these are the same tires that came from factory). This bike was purchased for a little over $2,000 new (adjusted for 2023 inflation is ~$5,000 now). When I got the bike, there were two small paint chips that I filled in (see photos). There are a couple marks on the Cinelli saddle as well. The Dura-Ace hoods have started to dry out, hence some cracking. And unfortunately, the frame pump no longer builds pressure (but sure does look cool)! The tires also no longer hold air. Apart from these very small things, this bike is perfect. If I had to guess, I'd say it's been ridden less than 100 miles. 

To make this even more special, all of the original paperwork and the original receipt are included. Robert, the original owner, even had his name pantographed into the stem - a detail that you never see anymore. Incredible!!

Measurements:

Seat tube (ctt) - 64cm

Top tube (cc) - 60cm

Specs:

Saddle - Cinelli 

Seatpost - Dura-Ace

Headset - Dura-Ace

Bars - Nitto

Stem - Nitto (with factory pantographing)

Brake Levers - Dura-Ace

Brakes - Dura-Ace

Crankset - Dura-Ace

Pedals - Shimano Tri Color

Rear Derailleur - Dura-Ace

Front Derailleur - Dura-Ace

Shifters - Dura-Ace (indexed)

Hubs - Dura-Ace

Hoops - Araya Super Hard Anodized 

Freewheel - Dura-Ace

Chain - Dura-Ace