Chuck Schmidt effectively distilled posts from Cyclart and Brian Baylis:
Jim Cunningham wrote,
This MASI frame was built by Mario at Masi while I worked there with him. The client was Sam Bloomfield of San Diego, an elderly gent who wanted the lightest possible bike. It was understood that he would ride it little, if at all. I think it was delivered in clearcoat with gold pearl. We did several show bikes in clear to show the tidy brazing and in this case, I painted it with pearlised gold clear that was used as a topcoat on the yellow bikes to make it a little more special. I have a photo of Sam and his wife taking delivery of the frame I'll look for it in my Confente files and post it soon. (snip) ======
Brian Baylis wrote,
By all means, dig up the photo of the bike. I don't think I've ever seen the "clearcoat treatment" on a frame using gold pearl in the process. I'd be interested to see that and also if it is visible in the photo, assuming you find it.
Since I wasn't there at the time, I have a question about the painters present while you were. I've never been able to figure it out. Wasn't Ron Smith there the entire time you worked there? I know he was there before your arrival; wasn't he also there still after you left? And where does Pricilla Hoefer come in as the painters' assistant? If you could fill in the situation during that time perhaps I could make sense of these stray bits of information. Hope you can help me. Thanks. ======
Wondering if I missed the responding post? I'm in the middle of upgrading to a G5 so I probably missed it, but I couldn't find anything in the archives Jim Cunningham in response to Brian's questions?
No, you did not miss a response. but I as well had a question regarding the finish, and that was- did the fork have a chromed crown originally? If it did, how was it handled with respect to the translucent coat? Chrome can be masked, but my observation of it would make me conclude it is about as precise as masking paint with duct tape and comes with a gnarly edge.
The current finish and pantographing of the bike would indicate that its current state I would describe as a Mario Tribute. Not too long ago, I was advised by an original Confente owner who was issued a Confente transfer set by Mario that he had pretty specific thoughts on where to place transfers, especially his signature, I asked for a copy of the original instructions (if they can be found) just before this Green Masi Confente surfaced.
Of two Pursuit frames Mario made back in 1975 at Masi, I remember that the rider's were told that they were for competition use only, not durable enough for "normal" use.
John Jorgensen
Palos Verdes Ca