George,
My knowledge of Masi is almost none to a bit so I called Peter Koskinen who gave me a quick over view.
The original 3V prototype was introduced in 1983 at the New York show by Fierelo Masi (exceuse my spelling if not correct) and was built in Italy at the time. The bike didn't catch on at first and was reintroduced in 1984 at again the NY show and it sales started to gain hold. In 1985 the name and rights were sold to Torelli imports owned by Ted Kirkbride and Rene Moser in the U.S. and were continued to be built in Italy until 1990 when production was transferred to the U.S. which is where my conversation with Peter stopped for now.
Hope that helps. I'm curious about serial number to find out if mine is an Italian or American produced 3V. The serial number on the bottom bracket of mine is #9094. Anybody on the list know about Masi 3V serial numbers, help would be appreciated.
Regards, Peter ~~~~~
Peter W. Naiman Owner: Cream City Online. Registered Ebay Sales Broker/ Trading Assistant Glendale, WI USA 53217-5034 Phone: 414-429-4362
From: Strickler, George M <gstrickler@tulane.edu> Subject: [CR] Masi 3V Questions To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org Date: Sunday, February 6, 2011, 1:32 PM
I apologize in advance if the answers are accessible in the archives or on one of the Masi web sites, but I have tried. I recently acquired a Team 3V. First, where was it made? I have read that all Team Issue 3V's were made in California and then, I've read somewhere else that all were made in Italy and then shipped here for paint. Is there a clear answer for all Team 3V's or was it some of both? Second, when was it made? The serial number on the BB, which is partly obscured, seems to be a four digit number - 118 (4?). The paint on the BB is rubbed off and the stamping for the numbers is very light so the 4th number (and any others) are gone. The other side of the bracket is stamped "M56," but I'm assuming that's the frame size. Any advice will be appreciated. George Strickler New Orleans (where it went from 31 to 72 in less than 10 hours), La.