Hi Ann,
I have two Montelatici frames that Matteo found in Italy that are that size
(49cm c-t-c, or 50.5 c-t-t) and one 51. Vasco Mon-tel-AH-tee-chee started
his shop right after WW2 and sponsored many top amateur racers who went on to
be pros. As soon as his friend, Cino Cinelli (they raced together as juniors
in Firenze) set up a frame shop, Vasco (Montelatici) had Cino build his
frames. The 49s available might be from the 60s, they have nutted brakes, the
early Colnago "style" lugs made by Cinelli, flat top Fischer crowns, and ooze
style and elegance. They are NOS, never painted, Columbus tubing. Brian
Bayliss and Ed Litton (both noted builders/painters) both have one, Albert
Eisentraut would have gotten one if there was one his size. Price is $450 w/o
paint. Ed charges around $300 for 1 color plus $40 for decal application and
has a good local chromer (extra). The 51 has no fork and is less. It's a
later frame (70s) for standard reach brakes with recessed bolts. There may
also be a 53 c-to-c available, someone is on the fence and has said if a firm
buyer steps up, he'll step aside. These were made by Cinelli s.P.a., the pins
are in the same places they used and if you know what to look for, it's
obvious. They come with two sets of bar plugs, one water bottle, and one set
of decals.
Stevan Thomas
Alameda, CA