I have a Masi Prestige, purchased in 1985. This frame has typical immaculate Masi lugwork, and the best dropout work I have seen on an Italian frame; the tangs are filed to points where they go into the stays, and the dropout adjusting screw threads into the back of the dropout and when threaded all the way in the head fits into little recesses so that there is no protrusion. The flanges and back edge are chrome with paint in between, which is a unique rose brown metallic. The head tube decal says "made in Italy" and it has Alberto Masi signature on the top tube. I have only seen a couple of these for sale in 15 years, and no articles or reference to them anywhere, so my question is: how long were/are these frames made, and how many have been imported to this country? The distributor I got mine from had a number of odds and ends frames for sale, this being the only Masi, and I assumed he went on a buying trip to Italy, and really was not a regular supplier. Also, I have an early Masi California Gran Criterium with the double plate fork crown, serial number 236 MC54. I know what MC54 means, and the info I have on the 236 indicates this is the 436th frame built, and would have been built when Mario Confente was there. My question is: what are the chances that Mario built this frame, and if not, who else was building frames there at that time (1974-75)? The head and seat tube decals say Milano on them and the world champion bands are on the seat tube. I know that later Masi's did not say "Milano", and had stars and stripes bands on the seat tube. Lugwork is much better on mine than on later ones I have seen. Any information would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Steve Benson
Charlotte,NC