Charles B. Kramer wrote:
>
> "Prestige" is similar to "Gran Criterium" and both are a continuation of
> Masi's (the father's) frame building heritage. The GC was introduced in
> 1970, and the Prestige circa 1978. Or so I think.
(cut)
> My impression is the 3v represents either the elder Masi's last innovation,
> or Alberto's break-away from the family tradition. But anyway, it's
> different (new, lighter, more modern) that the Prestige.
It is my impression that the Prestige was son Alberto Masi's baby.
I read an interview with Faliero Masi where he was talking about the Volumetrica and how he ran the idea of using larger, thinner tubes with internal lugs past Tullio Campagnolo, and Tullio gave it his blessing. The oversize tubing used in the 3V was closer to the ideal wall thickness to diameter ratio than the typical bike tubing in use at the time.
But my early, made in Italy, 3 Volumetrica has an Alberto Masi signature on the top tube.
Chuck Schmidt
South Pasadena, Southern California