I wanted to be clear about something, something I was clearly NOT clear about in my initial response to Kevin's post about the differences between 70s and 80s Masis.
I did own a nice medium-red 1984-or-so Masi GC (I never really looked at the serial number, this was something like 10 years ago when I knew even less than I know now about these things). I had it for a year or so. I kinda wish I hadn't sold it, but I needed the money at the time, or some such dumb thing.
I am in total agreement with Joe on this score: those frames that he and others made at that time for Masi America were *exceedingly* tidy. Every bit as fine--or maybe even finer--as that Masi Prestige I sold on ebay recently, pictures of which you can see on Morgan's Wooljersey site.
In short, that 80s Masi I had was as fine a cast-lug frame as I've ever owned. Aesthetically, and in ride-quality. Someone implied earlier that I was somehow criticizing the ride-quality of those early 80s Masis. I never did, never would. All I said was that they were *different* from earlier Masis. The 80s Masi I had was a real thoroughbred, a fine modern racing machine of the time.
By way of example, I have a top-line early 80s Ciocc, and an 80s De Rosa. Both are quite crude compared to an 80s Masi. So, clearly, the American tradition of perfectionism did not die at Masi when the Carlsbad shop closed. I never said it did, either.
All this said, I still like the look of the old pressed-lugs better *when they're PROPERLY finished off!!* But, that, of course is personal taste. As for when a Masi ceased to be a Masi, I'm not touchin' that one anymore... there's plenty in the archives about *that.*
I wish I still had that 80s Masi. I had some very enjoyable rides around the northeast Ohio countryside on it. One of the few bikes I regret selling...the other is that damned 1975 Pogliaghi that was utterly pristine, and I will be kicking myself over that one for the rest of my life. Now, THAT was one crude, but charming bike...and it was a real rider, one of those true "I gotta go fast" bikes.. I NEVER should have sold it.
Charles Andrews
SoCal