Mark,
Richie is correct, it's just a name. Couldn't tell you how or why they came up with that one for that bike, but it has always been a misnomer and has probably been the source of much "confusion" of frame geometry. In my opinion it could easily have gone the way of Medici, when they introduced the "Gran Tourisimo" to their line back in the mid 70's. Maybe all the good names were taken ;-).
Brian Baylis
I've got a couple of Masi "Gran Illusions" myself. The "Special" is more
approiately named.
>
> I have a question for those Masi aficionados. This Masi on ebay is a Gran
> Criterium. If my memory serves me correctly, and it hasn't done well in
> recent years, the Gran Criterium had Criterium geometry and this one appears
> to have more of a European road geometry. Would love to understand the Masi
> geometry differences.
>
> http://ebay.com/
>
> Mark, in sunny, cool and some patches of snow left WV, Poore