[CR]another amazing find!

(Example: Framebuilders:Richard Moon)

From: "John Pergolizzi" <jtperry@worldnet.att.net>
To: <rocklube@adnc.com>, <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
References: <3ECE4B89.1062@adnc.com>
Date: Fri, 23 May 2003 22:05:11 -0400
Subject: [CR]another amazing find!

Brian Baylis wrote:

" Man, what a score. Too bad it's only a MASI SPECIAL!!!!! Someone top THAT! I understand it has Cinelli style lugs (as it should for the period) chromed and the whole nine yards. This is the earliest Masi I will have ever seen in the flesh. I hear Pergolizzi also has a simular machine, possibly a year earlier even. How exciting that two of such vintage have surfaced on opposite coasts. Waiting for a Masi Special to fall out of the sky and into my lap!"

Well, in Sally's words, after I read her the amazing find of the Bayiss/Bell friends brother: "The Bike Gods at work !". Yes, in the trans-Atlantic care package that Steve Maasland and I recently imported, there was a mid fifties Masi frame. Steve thinks around 1957. Research may show a more exact date. No decals, Cinelli lugs, chrome box fork crown, headbadge of the generation after the Alex Clark 1954 Masi on his Vintage Velos website. Possible partial repaint (needs closer examination). The seat cluster is also of the 54 style with flat caps. This bike, however, has only a chainstay braze on. No others. The bike has magistroni cranks with a single chainring, Ambrosio Champion alloy stem with unmarked alloy bars, cork plugs, and a later nuovo record road headset. Some donor parts will be provided by a gaspipe Olmo to help her become period correct( like a Gran Sport rear der. w/ cable tensioner). Will the Gods frown? Appropriate sacrifices may have to be made to appease them. The question I hope to answer is, is this a "speciale corsa" or "special corsa" or "special" model? Perhaps a call to Alberto at The Vigorelli, sorry Maspes, will help. What dates does our group put to these models appearing? She will make her debut at The Velo Rendevouz in Oct. I will ride her. I think she will like Southern California.

ciao,
John T.Pergolizzi
4th day of rain in N.Y.C.