[CR]Regarding the Masi Museum and Pilgrimage

(Example: Humor:John Pergolizzi)

Date: Fri, 26 Oct 2001 09:30:47 -0700
From: "Brian Baylis" <rocklube@adnc.com>
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Subject: [CR]Regarding the Masi Museum and Pilgrimage

Fellow listmembers,

I've been meaning to get to this stuff for several days. The hang up is that I'm on a framebuilding binge. One thing I need to do is try my best to stay away from the computer and the telephone as much as I can. I have a few minutes to type so I'll start with the Masi stuff.

Chuck and myself have discussed getting together for a dinner/planning session in regards to solidifying a plan to found a Masi Museum here in So. Cal. We haven't told Rex Gebhart he is the spearhead just yet but that is the plan. I figure since I was instrumental in his making contact and forming a relationship with Alberto Masi; he owes me at least that much so we can get a toehold in Italy. As I mentioned, I would like to see the Masi front room reconstructed as a museum in tribute to the Masi marque. It would be absolutely neccessary for a contingent to appear in person to pitch the idea to Alberto. I expect there to be some competition for the artifacts in the Masi shop, so I feel it will be best to present a sincere and organized plan to Alberto. Preserving the memory of the Masi name in the US should appeal (and hopefully flatter) Alberto to the point of his co-operating with the effort. In my fantacy, Alberto is the guest of honor at the didication of said museum at Velo Rendezvous III in 2003. As details become available, I'll keep the list informed. Anyone who wants to participate or contribute to this effort can let me know as they see fit. My personal goal is to bring back enough vintage frame tubes and bits from the Masi shop at the Vigorelli (with Albertos' blessing) to build two replica Masis to hang in the museum. I want to build a track bike using Nervex #49 professional lugs and Nervex bb shell like an early Masi Special, and a road frame using Nervex #32 lugs and Fisher bb shell and oval chainstays. For my own collection I have already assembled all the neccessary tubes, lugs, and other parts to build a road and a track frame that will be my size(what a shock) and will be in my style of today which is an evolution of the Masi "style". The replica frames for the museum would be about a 55cm track frame (replica circa 1962) and a 57cm road frame(replica circa 1969) and not for sale needless to say.

At this time the dinner meeting is just a plan, but when it happens we will be setting target dates for our trip and for other issues related to the museum.

Stay tuned for messages pertaining to the decal consortium (which has already had several developments in a forward direction) and an announcement that is relevent to Velo Rendezvous II which may be of particular interest to framebuilders or individuals interested in seeing how frames used to be build during the "classic era" of framebuilding.

Blabbermouth
La Mesa, CA