I have no idea why that 1973 Carlsbad Masi was pulled, but I could guess.
In any event, I thought the final price was about 500 bucks more than it's worth. It looked very pretty, and it does have the twin-plate crown. But I think $1500 is tops for one of those bikes. $1200 is more like it.
I have a period correct 1971 italian GC in nearly-new condition--not for sale, at the moment, anyway (isn't everything for sale at the right price, though?)--and I would be flabbergasted to get $2K for it. I'd take it, but I'd feel a little guilty about it, tell you the truth. With the period-correct wheels, I might be ok taking $1800 for it--because those wheels are incredibly difficult to find in good shape now, and most of the GCs from that period that are still around don't have their original wheels with the light Martanos...
But for $2K one of those bikes would have to be in perfect, NOS condition, with all the correct, original bits that would have come on it if it was built up at the Carlsbad factory, and, just for giggles, it would have to have some interesting provenance. Otherwise I can't see paying that much for one.
An early Carlsbad bike is a beauteous machine, but it ain't worth $2K plus. No way. I don't care *how* pristine it is.
Thanks my story, and I'm stickin' to it!
Of course--that said--as has been pointed out many times on this list, a thing is worth whatever someone is willing to pay.
How nice. I managed to post about a Masi again. :p
Charles "can't have too many Masis" Andrews SoCal