As the subject line says, I have an early champagne-colored Italian Masi Gran Criterium. This is a very early frame and was built prior to the start of the California operations. The bottom bracket has the 4 cut-outs and says M59 without any serial number (this is normal for Italian frames), even though I measure the frame to be 57 cm C/C (58 cm C/T). The top tube is 56.5 cm C/C. The steer tube of the fork is marked -5-71- which I take to mean May 1971. The Campagnolo Nuovo Record gruppo components all seem to be 1970 vintage. The rear derailleur is marked Pat 70, the hub locknuts are marked Cam 70, the cranks have no date code, the crank dustcaps are marked patent Campagnolo (instead of the later Brev Campagnolo) the brake levers are the longer reach version, the pedals have the toe strap loop, the seatpost has the smaller writing, plus all the levers and the front derailleur cage are all the flat ones... The non-campagnolo components also all appearto be original and include: Cinelli nutted old logo 1A stemwith 7 mm allen key, Cinelli old logo Giro D'Italia bars, Unicanitor saddle with stitched design in the leather. The rims appear to be Martano but no longer have any labels. The tires and the brake lever hoods were both completely rotted away, so I will include a pair of NOS Wolber Competition tubulars as well as a set of globe-logo hoods that I have been storing in talcum powder.
I want $2500 for the bike. I would prefer not to need to box this bike, soanybody who plans to participate in my upcoming South Jersey CR ride on Sunday August 22nd will be given preference.
If the purchase of such a bike could create marital strife, I may also have the perfect complement for your significant other. I have a bright yellow Italian 1986 Masi 3V that is appropriately labeled "The Queen" on the top tube. This title more than likely refers to Paris-Roubaix, which is known in Italy as "La Regina delle classiche" or "The Queen of the classics". The bike is a 49 cm C/C frame with a 52.5 cm top tube. In keeping with the year of production the bike is equipped with Dura Ace equipment (except for a later Shimano 600 sealed headset). It can be friction or SIS shifter using the downtube levers. Alberto Masi brought out the 3V in the early 80's as the next generation of the 1970's Masi Prestige. I want $700 for this bike and like the Gran Criterium, would prefer to not need to box it up.
I will have pictures of both tomorrow and would be more than happy to answer any questions that you might have.
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Steven Maasland
Moorestown, NJ