VISTA Made by Columbia to Compete Directly with Schwinn



Vista bikes were manufactured by Columbia bicycles of Westfield , Mass.
First Year of Production was 1968. They were somewhat of a Premium Columbia
bicycle that was specifically made to compete against Schwinn.
 
Vista was brought to market when Schwinn yanked
the rug out from many of the independent bicycle shops in the late sixties, when Schwinn mandated unrealistic inventory levels that the independents could not afford, so Schwinn was no longer being sold in the many small bike shops across the US. Columbia took advantage of the opportunity, and offered the independent bicycle shops an alternative without a huge buy-in, the Vista line of bicycles.

There were so many likenesses and similarities to a Schwinn in the
early models. Similar forks, Seat Designs, Color Schemes, etc.

Vista branded Columbia Bicycles had solid forged forks similar
to Schwinn, alloy brakes and brake handles, etc. and are about as "Schwinn"-like as a non Schwinn bike can be,
minus the Brazed rather than Electro-Forged frame (which actually made the Vista a tad bit lighter).

The Bicycles were not distributed out of Columbia's Westfield, Mass. Facility, but instead
came out of a distribution facility in Minneapolis, Minnesota called National Indepedent Distributors Associates "NIDA"

1969 Torino 400 3 Spd.   Torino 400 3 Spd. Stick in Tawny Gold / Coffee. 2nd Year of Production. Came with a 3 Spd. Hub with a Coaster Brake.   333 Tall Stick Shifter produced Exclusively for Vista   Originally eqquipted with White Wall Tires. 1969 N.I.D.A. Logo	1971 Torino 300 3 Spd.   Torino 300 3 Spd. Stick in Deep Canyon Red. The 300 Came with a free wheeling hub and front and rear hand brakes.   The plan is to complete the restorations of all 3 stick shifter bicycles in 2025.   This Torino has its Original Tires. As Found in Atco, NJ Fall of 2023
1970 Torino 400 3 Spd.   Torino 400 for 1970 features a Stick Shifter with a 3 Spd hub and Coaster Brake.   The pearson seat, Grips and Peddles are still with the Bicycle. A great looking bicycle in its Lemon Twist Yellow Color. I can't wait to ride this Torino this coming season. As Found in Atco, NJ Fall of 2023	1972 Torino 400 3 Spd. This is a complete Torino 400 bought from the original owner. Grabber Yellow Torino 400.
1974 Torino 400 Torino 400 originally eqquiped with a handle bar shifter. Mostly original Vista Torino with an update Stick Shifter,  Sissy Bar and Seat. Every Torino Needs a Cobra. Added over the counter 333 brand Tall Shifter.	Wanted! Vista Torino 500 in Grabber Blue Wanted! Vista Torino 100 Coaster Wanted! Any Other MuscleCar Named Bicycles Donate or Sell. Fair Price Paid on all.
Wanted! Vista Torino 500 in Grabber Blue Wanted! Vista Torino Coaster Wanted! Any Other MuscleCar Named Bicycles Donate or Sell. Fair Price Paid on all.