>From the Fall/Winter 1984-85 Performace catalog.
>http://twistcomm.com/Bikes/Bike014.jpg
>Performance Brand "Campione" and "Blue Ridge" Bicycle frames. ($350)
Definitely not a Masi, but it is easy to see how with a cursory look someone could mistake it for an 80-81 Gran Criterium. Same fork crown (no engraving tho), similar lug cutouts, and what looks to be the same brake bridge. However the seat stay caps and top tube guides are different, as is the BB and chainstay bridge. And Masi did not adopt under-bb cable routing until 1983 (by which time the lugs and fork crown had changed).
So far, doesn't look like there's much to this urban legend. But maybe we oughta send it to "Mythbusters" just to be certain.
Bob Hovey
Columbus, GA