Grand-velo was put in the market by Bridgestone in the May of 1975. It was the highest class series as a mass-production bicycle in those days. There were two kinds of model such as road-racing bicycle GV-PR and track-racing bicycle GV-TR. Both of the frames were composed of Raynolds 531 tubes and Cinelli lugs and Campagnolo frame-ends. They were so-called all-Campy racers.
As for the road-racing bicycle, three sizes of frame were prepared. Track-racing bicycle was a full-order model. Though customer could select some of parts, those were basically typical Italian parts of those days.
Later, Bridgestone had introduced Gand-velo randoneur model at the cycle show, had gotten positive response from the market. Here it is. The bicycle was printed with color photo on two pages spread in Cycle sports magazine.

The frame was composed of Raynolds 531 frame tubes, Cinelli lugs and several special works which were equal quality of special custom bicycle as well as the road-racing model and the track-racing model. This randonneur equipped with high grade import parts and Japanese parts. I who was a high-school student in those days was so surprised and thought "How brilliant! Is this a mass-production bicycle?"
I haven't thought that I could have an occasion to see the real one 30 years later. It might be sweet memory and yearning to the people who join bicycle life in those days.

The article of Cycle sports magazine.

Although there were some parts of deterioration on the pain, it still kept pure white and beautiful shape totally. I could not think that this is a 30 years old bicycle.
Some of parts were changed. However, silhouette was in line with the manner of high class randonneur in those days.
By the way, there was a big bicycle shop which was a distributor of Bridgestone in my city in those day. Grand-velo randoneur was exhibit at the shop. I had gone to the shop to see the bicycle several times.

Italian cut lugs of Cinelli, tip of sword shaped fork crown, sticker of Raynolds 531 on the fork, rear brake wire which run-inside of tube, sifter, dynamo: the specifications were the completely same as the high grade custom bicycle which we longed for at that time.

Note: the front carrier is not original.

Fork-end was same one which was used for Eurasia Touring. This design must have come from Rene Herse.
It was a bit sorry because the angle of Huret Jubilee was too steep.

Seat pin plinth on the high cut seat lug, crow stays that the summits were united precisely, simple shaped outer guide; those were suitable for the sticker of "Handmade".

The backside of the eyelet on the folk-end was scraped thinner so that chain would not have hit to the fender bolt. On the left end, you may be able to see the gray dynamo line which run from the dynamo to the headlight.

TA chain wheel, Huret Jubilee derailleur, Mafac Criterium cantilever brake, Brooks professional saddle, Campagnolo hubs and pedals and head set, Soubitez dynamo, Vitalux headlight. Those were typical parts combination for high class bicycle. Therefore there must have been lot of cyclists who had yearned for it.

Nowadays, mass-production makers which have made this kind of touring bicycle are only Maruishi (Emperor Touring-Master), Araya (Randoneur), Panasonic (OSC4, OSD4). I want to ask Bridgestone which had made attractive products aggressively to produce a touring bicycle of new generation as top maker. Of course BS won't be able to sell it so large quantity and it might not match with the cost. Or BS may have to use a build-to-order manufacturing system such as POS of Panasonic. However, it would have existence value to middle age cyclists who want to restart cycling, or to younger generation who look for a useful touring bicycle.

I can't be away from the image of vintage touring bicycle. However, if I venture to say about an image of new touring bicycle, it might be a modifying of BS comfort bicycle Orby.