RE: [CR]re: ebay CA Masi price

(Example: Framebuilders:Tony Beek)

Date: Wed, 26 Jun 2002 16:18:23 -0400
From: <chasds@mindspring.com>
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Subject: RE: [CR]re: ebay CA Masi price

Mark wrote, in part:

At the same time the 83 San Marcos California Masi GC that I won on ebay,

{snip}

at less than $900. So my point is it takes a lot to explain the low current

bids for the Masi offered on ebay now,even if not entirely SR/NR equipped.

Mark Cutrufelli

Laurel, MD

*********

This is a very small, volatile market, largely emotion-driven, as I pointed out. I think the LBS you consulted is plain wrong (they often are about such things), and Kone's estimates on Sheldon's site are at least 3 years old. Things have changed since then. Emotion and relative rarity drive prices in various directions.

I think an 83 Masi GC, fully equipped, in reasonably clean, original condition, is worth about a grand, tops. Probably more like $800, in my view. This always depends on who's buying, of course.

I think any Carlsbad Masi GC with pressed lugs, in original condition, in a good size (ie 54-58cm c-t--size is a crucial value-setter too), is worth between 1400 and 1600 bucks, or more. I just sold one recently in that range, and the bike was not completely original, parts-wise. Details make a huge difference at this level: the bike I sold had perfect paint and graphics, the twin-plate crown, and factory-ordered pantographed seatpost and stem, with custom 3ttt/Masi engraved bars. Rather rare to find anytime. I think it was a good deal for the buyer...it was, and is, gorgeous, very collectable, and very rideable too.

Note that repaints cut value as much as half, or more, on the open market--sometimes, not all the time--esp. repaints of the early bikes. And if the repaint is incorrect in any way, or less than flawless, value is reduced even further. Again, at this level, that kind of detail is huge.

An early italian GC, in clean, original condition (including original wheels, and the little yellow paint drops on the cable ends, and cable-clamp nuts, or with any factory-ordered pantographed stuff) is worth close to $2K (in a good size), and one with the transition graphics set from 1969 in clean, original condition, is easily worth over $2K on the open market.

That's my story, and I'm stickin' to it!

Charles

PS: I've spent a number of years now buying and selling old Masis--as have more than a few of us-- and I've learned more about them, and their relative values, than I ever wanted to know, believe me.