In a message dated 7/30/04 11:30:38 AM, Ray writes:
> Okay so the one that just went for a couple of hundred was from the early
> 80s and suffers from that eras lack of desireability. But other comments I
> received don't hold water and here is my logic. One comment was that the
> components are low grade mix. The attachment that I will show next is a
> frame only so logically no components is less valuable that some
> components. Also I was told that the paint job caused bidders to avoid.
> Well this one has been repainted and has the wrong decaling. Finally it
> was said that the market is slow now due to vacations, I say bah! Look at
> this one that closed recently. The only difference I see is the date which
> must be the main value factor.
>
> http://ebay.com/
> rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW
>
> Ray Homiski
> Elizabeth, NJ
>
Ray;
The bike in question is not early 80's actually, it's an '86, but that's a minor point. The main thing is I don't think there's any way you can compare this bike to a late 60's Masi Special, even if it is one in need of some serious restoration. You can see as many as a half-dozen San Marcos Gran Crits a month on Ebay. You will be lucky to see two or three Specials a year. That could mean a wait of several years to find one in your size (maybe longer, if you're as short as I am).
I am fortunate to have one of each of the bikes in question. The San Marcos bike is like a nice new Miyata... pretty, nimble, fun to ride. The Special is like a vintage T-Bird or Vette... It may be a bit rusty and maybe it burns a little oil, but it's a lot more fun to ride and has a hell of a lot more personality (and far more value as an investment, though you'll have a far easier time getting a guy to sell you his Miyata than his vintage Vette).
Bob Hovey
Columbus GA