So I wrote the guy, trying not to be mean, but explaining why I thought his bike was not a mid-70's Gran Criterium. He wrote back, thanking me for lifting the veil of ignorance that had clouded his vision. No, he wrote back, flaming me for criticizing his bike, an by extension, him and his intelligence. No, not that either. He wrote back saying there is an M on the top of the brake bridge and on the fork crown. There are also some slots cut into the BB. He said his original guess of mid 70's came from looking at websites. Now he thinks maybe 1980 or so. He is convinced from the weight and the ride that it is indeed a Masi. I wrote back wishing him well. No point in arguing.
I do know the bike had mid-70's Gran Criterium decals, but it is not a mid-70's Gran Criterium. I guess that is all I know. Could it have been a Gran Corsa or a Nuovo Strada?
Best regards,
Marcus Helman
Detroit, MI 48265