Richard,
Here is my understanding about Faliero and "building" frames. He worked for the well know firm of Gloria just before the war. Shortly after, about 1946 or '47 he began to make his own frames. It is safe to assume that at that time he built them all himself. Those would be the "real deal" by this deffinition. By 1954, 7 to 8 years later I don't have a problem imagining he was still doing it himself. Maybe had a helper around the shop, gee maybe his son Alberto, helped his father with a few things to make life easier. Somewhere along the line subcontractors or additional help was engaged.
My feeling is that instead of discussing what we are not sure about, we need to get someone who is fully capable to do an extensive interview with Alberto before it's too late. We need to collect the "important" questions in advance so we can get the information we are after in addition to what Alberto will add. I know he loves to talk and would most likely be VERY flattered to tell us the history of Masi. May I suggest that perhaps Dale try to get Alberto to be a guest at Le Cirque 2003. I'm sure the attendees would find that experience most exceptional.
It is not inconcievable for Faliero to still be building at least some of the Masi labled frames after only 8 years of being in business. Ever made a frame all buy yourself, Richie? Not exactly hard to do, now is it? I also happen to know that Faliero actually built a frame while in Carlsbad. It went to Hill Cycle in PA and it was originally dark blue metallic. I think it was a 60 cm frame. I remember a some scuttlebutt about the fact that it was a "little rough". He had been "retired" 15 years, meaning he hadn't built a frame himself, for that period from what I understand. Again, do the math. That would come out to 1958 as the approximate time when Faliero just ran the business and assembled the finished product as they were delivered to him. My guess is that is a fair place to start, pending better information from Alberto.
Let's put our efforts into getting this information directly from Alberto before it's too late. There is no doubt he can shed light on a great number of our questions.
Brian Baylis
La Mesa, CA
No need to speculate, we still have access to the source of the
information we seek.
>
> snipped from below:
> <When did Faliero stop building frames ? >
>
> define "building frames"
> that would help quantify and qualify the
> term "real deal".
> e-RICHIE
> chester, ct
>
> On Wed, 6 Nov 2002 08:38:30 -0500 (EST) <mmeison@scubadiving.com> writes:
> > Ok, some Masi talk.
> >
> > How many "real deal" Masi's were imported to the U.S.?
> > When did Faliero stop building frames ?
> > How unlikely is one to find a real deal frame nowadays
> > (be it a Masi, De Rosa, Colnago, etc.)?
> >
> > thanks
> > Marty "can't think of anything catchy" Eison
> > Dallas, Texas