In a message dated 3/26/01 4:19:21 PM PST, tr4play@home.com writes:
> Rick's mention of his Maserati prompts me to ask about this bike. I have
> some catalogs that list it but have never seen one in person nor do I
recall
> them ever being mentioned on the list. As an enthusiast of sports cars,
the
> Maserati brand means a lot and up until the mid 70's was known as a finely
> engineered hand crafted car. How do the bikes stack up against the other
> well known top tier Italian, English and French bikes of the 70's? Anyone
> out there have any info, experience or opinions?
>
Eric-
Let me try to answer your question, but am pretty sure there are better
sources than myself.
Maserati both the car and the bike have not been imported for at least 14
years now. Whether this true or not, I also understand that as a car maker,
Maserati couldn't meet American emission standards. When the car dealerships
took flight, so did any traces of Maserati bicycle-dom. Apparently a business
on the West coast still imports car parts and allegedly were a source of
restoration decals for a brief time. I can't recall their name or location,
but thought it was in the Bay area.
I should also add that Maersati dabbled in the motorcycle business for a brief time, or should I say Maserati labeled Benelli, (older brother to Cinelli? hmmm.) In the 60s and 70s Benelli had its own product line here in the states, but think they hobbled back to Italy too. I recall seeing only 2 Maserati bikes in my time, but obviously they are still to be found.
The first one I saw was a full pantographed Campy NR one with the exception that it had Universal Super 68(?) side-pulls. Also came with the small rivet Brooks pro saddle, and early 3TTT Record stem/bars. It had the signature Maserati Trident logo on the fork crowns. It also had long point chromed lugs as were the ends of the fork and rear stays. It was made apparently with Columbus SL, but the Columbus frame decal didn't indicate what type of tubing it was. I understood that this was their top-end model, but I have also heard this model coming in a fully chromed frame model, and an entirely sans chromed model. If nothing else, only a limited amount of Maseratis were ever exported to the States.
The lower end model I saw reminded of an early 70s Legnano Gran Premio. Basically a mix of Campy NR hubs, derailluers, Ofmega crank, Universal C-pulls, and Brooks Pro saddle. The frame looked very much like the higher end model but had a "Falck" tubing decal replacing the Columbus decal found on the higher-end bike. I was told that these were only two models imported, yet heard enough variation between these 2 models to suspect that there were others, or several variations on the theme of these 2 models. As an unusual but noteworthy aside, the Maseratis I saw had their tubing decals on the top tube about an inch from the head-tube lug.
I would say that overall, these bikes looked like they had been constructed with the lug type/welding tolerences/braze-ons, in the same manner or style found on Legnanos of that era. So who actually made these rascals? I have heard so many differing opinions that I believe the jury is still out. Here is a couple that I have heard mentioned: Carnelli (of Bottechia fame), Fiorelli (of Coppi fame), Gloria (of Masi fame), Mirella (of Gianni Motta fame), or Chiorda of unknown fame. From what I can tell, the only sure bet is some company with a vowel at the end of their name.
By no means could I down play the quality, workmanship or handling properties of Maserati bikes. The ones I have seen and ridden have been top notch Italian steeds, easily worthy of any top-end Italian bikes of that era. Lining them up against the best Bianchi, Colnago, Cinelli, or Pogliaghi is by no means a small comparison. It is with that background I am trying to frame my response. Of course they have the "sexiness" of being Maseratis. Then again, I can only recall Maseratis being used by a limited number of Pro teams, similar to Cinelli road bikes. If nothing else, its rather rare to run across a Maserati these days, let alone one in good condition.
I recall seeing a Maserati advertised for $600 on RBM a few years ago apparently restored by Cycleart, but I believe it did not come originally equipped. What were they originally listed for here in the States? I am grasping for straws on that, but a wild guess might be $350 for the lesser model, $650 for the upper-end model. What are they worth today? Heaven only knows; in great condition $500 for the lesser model?, $950 for the upper-end model? Or the reality-based, yet totally ambiguous, "what ever a person decides to pay for it". Thats the best my memory will let me do. Sorry for such a long reply. Cheers, David(o) Anderson(i )