I picked up a Masi GC last weekend from an elderly gentleman that said he had bought it in 1969 and that the store owner, (John's in Pasadena), had told him it was one of the first Gran Crit's in the country. He subsequently had it repainted by Gian Simonetti in 1990 :-( Gian replaced the decals with a later GC set. Just as I was leaving he handed me a Masi head tube badge and said that was what was on the bike originally. I've seen badged Specials but never a badged GC. The lug work, fork crown and bottom bracket are identical to e-ritchie's restored GC's so I don't think it's a Special. So my questions are:
1. Was 1969 the first year GC's were available? 2. Did they come with a head tube badge? 3. What decal set is appropriate?
Jerry Corcoran
Canby, OR