IP Merkin wrote for someone else:
"When I bought my Gran Crit on eBay a few years back (MC54 s/n B7819)......To summarize, the seller alleged that Brian said the frame was originally brazed in in the mid-1970s by Eisentraut (evidently this was apparent due to distinctive filing of some sort), but never finished. It languished until the last days of Carlsbad.......... The only odd thing (and possibly lending some credibility to the story) is seeing MC54 on a bike with a San Marco serial number. I'm no expert, though, so maybe this kind of thing was common and means nothing at all.
Hmmm, let's see. I'm just spewing here, but I thought Eisentraut worked contract for Masi in the late 70s, early 80s timeframe. I suppose it could have been possible under those circumstances for Masi to have sent NOS frame parts, such as a BB with MC54 stamped on it, to Eisentraut and that is how the combination came to be. I don't see how it could have been brazed in the mid-70s, unless 78 is mid-70s. On the other hand, perhaps this IS the missing link. Perhaps those early disinformation (I was fooled too) that the MC stood for Mario Confente or Masi California were really more than just bull. I'm running for the door. Lou Deeter, Orlando FL
Sarchasm: The gulf between the author of sarcastic wit and the person who doesn't get it.