In the 1983 trade show that was still being held in what is now the Jacob Javits center in NYC Faliero Masi showed 2 prototype Masi 3V's that were built with oversized Mannesman tubing and their new internal silver brazed lug. Because of his relationship with Columbus at the time, he was obliged to put small Columbus fork decals on the frame and the fork. Both of these frames were being showed as complete bikes at the time fully equipped with Campagnolo Super Record pantagraphed components. One of them was painted in a dark coffee metallic with small Gucci logos painted in gold onto all the tubes (this bike ended up in Toga Bike Shop) and the other was painted a Pearle sky blue over white with overlapping dark blue arrows. (this bike ended up in a shop in southern Ohio). The story goes that these two dealers were in the top five dealers nationally that sold the most Masi's.
Cheers,
Peter Koskinen
29 degrees in Chapel Hill, NC
> Below is what I got from Richie Sachs with his permission to share with
the list. Lou Deeter, Orlando FL
>
> Richard Sachs says: the first ever 3v was on display at the 79 milan show
as a prototype. at that point, the lips were filed off the lug edges so that
it looked "fillet brazed". eventually, the lips were left on as a design
element, the first, (or maybe the first batch of) 3v frames were painted as
prestiges because it wasn't a bonefide model yet. i believe it became a
model at the 81 milan show. how do i know? i was in italy then. pal len
preheim and i did a 20 industrial espionage gig...