I looked over the Masi site and in particular the Grand Criterium. The awful truth is that this bike is attractive by modern standards. The paint job and decals have a certain restrained classicism, while the tubing is nicely proportional, without any huge beer can sized monster downtubes. The seatpost has a functional backset and the seat is nicely color coordinated with the red wrapped anatomical handlebars. The fork is nicely curved too. The overall feel of the bike is quite good as a racer, I'd bet, and this bike is prettier than anything that Trek or Cannondale is now offering.
The Woolworth building, the Empire State building and the Chrysler building are light-years prettier than the World Trade Center was. Now we are all bemoaning that loss of the beauty of the New York skyline. Likewise, now that you all have come to know me, If you heard that I was brutally rundown and killed by a lunatic while I was out on my Masi Grand Criterium (circa 2001), you would all feel the loss of your friend and you might start to like the looks of the bike too. Garth Libre (P.S. the bike is ugly, honestly, but I would buy one in a heartbeat for $300).