Steven wrote:
I don't believe that the place of production was as important as the fact that Masi was likely the brand that best embodied both 'boutique' prestige recognition with a readily demonstrated, advertised and known race palmarès.
Tom Replies:
Not to parse your words, but do fact and likely really jibe? Best embodied in the eyes of US consumers, would be more accurate. And why was this? Was it because there are no other makers with similar boutique style and race palmares? What about DeRosa? And the difference between Masi and DeRosa... Ill assert that it was Masis US operations. In fact, this production makes nice 1970s Masis far more common in the U.S. than similar vintage DeRosas, yet they are generally more sought after, or at least talked about, by CR listmembers. I believe that one other aspect of Cal Masis that endears them to US collectors is that they have that better-than-necessary level of finish. The perfection that we see in something like a Richard Sachs seems to be something born on these shores, and I think the Cal Masis may have combined this with Italian Mystique for the ultimate combination of traits that straddle the Atlantic. Or am I just missing something? Are there Italian bikes, and Masis in particular that are finished like the early Carlsbad bikes? To be honest, Im mostly going by photos that Ive seen, so maybe Ive come to some suspect conclusions. But arent the Carlsbad Masis finished to a different standard than the contemporaneous Italian ones and similar Italian bikes?
Steven wrote:
In Italy, like in Japan or here in the US, Masi bikes do hold an added value over similar 'quality' bikes from lesser-known builders, the sole difference is extent of the comparative added value. In Italy, the added value is perhaps 10-20% whereas here in the US the added value is likely closer to 100%.
To which Tom replies:
Sole difference or not, doesnt a 500-1000% jump in added value say something about country of origin?
__________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com