Jack wrote:
>Ok troops here is the quintessential give away between an Italian and a
"Cali" 3V. Just look at the seat cap. If it says "Masi Brev. in small
print w/ colored "H" cut out it is Italian and it will be signed by Alberto.
If it says Masi in block letter as in mine on wooljersey (See the link) it
is from So Cal. And it will be signed by Falerio. And just you know that
is
the original paint on my frame and I am the original owner. And I also ow
n
an Italian one which is in the attic hiding from my better half
The seatstay caps (as well as the rounded font on the brake bridge and lower
head tube lug) are all good indicators, though you should keep in mind that the Italian seatstay cap and Italian-font brake bridge were indeed used on s ome American bikes (not 3V's... but you'll see 'em on '85-'87 Gran Crits).
The most unambiguous clue (and often the most visible in typically bad eBay photos) is the fork crown... the Italian bikes will have an urn-shaped crest on top with slots in the shoulders (like the Prestige), while the American 3V's
usually have the Oval crest and no slots.
Bob Hovey
Columbus GA