[CR]Masi VE58: is it a Confente?

(Example: Racing:Roger de Vlaeminck)

Date: Wed, 27 Dec 2006 18:46:22 +0100
From: "Freek Faro" <khun.freek@gmail.com>
To: "CLASSIC RENDEZVOUS" <Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Subject: [CR]Masi VE58: is it a Confente?

List:

Thanks for the help I've received sofar. It brings me closer, but I'm not yet there.

With some searching of the sources offered I've come up with this:

1. It's built of Reynolds 531 (I sanded the steerer tube, and there it was, vaguely) 2. The '30' stamped in bb shell and steerer tube menas it had a repaint at the Vigorelli workshop (thanks John) 3. The frame is very very similar to the 76 and 77 Gran Criteriums at speedbicycles.ch; bit is it a 76 or 77/ 4. Components are 74 date code cranks and 75 date hubs; they could have come off another bike of course 5. Rear dropouts say 78 or later? 6. Stem is Alberto Masi pantographed; assuming stem, seatpost and chainring were bought with the bike, does that bring dating the frame closer? 7. Concerning who built it: someone suggested 'Mario Confente'. I read about him, and supposedly he was not back at Masi until 78. So that means a 78 frame? 8. Framenumber 'VE58': Verona. OK, I've seen 'V' for Verona (and Confente) build, in the registry, but not 'VE'. Can anyone shed light on this? 9. What about the 'z' on the bb shell lug?

Thanks for all help, I realise I'm being quite particular here, but this frame is beginning to mean something to me!

Freek Faro Rotterdam Netherlands

The link to the pics again:
http://wooljersey.com/gallery/Freeks-racefietsen/Masi/