[CR]Faliero gossip/pix

(Example: Framebuilders:Chris Pauley)

From: "Bob Hovey" <bobhoveyga@aol.com>
To: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>, "Fred Rednor" <fred_rednor@yahoo.com>
References: <MONKEYFOODuOeffcPNP0000248d@monkeyfood.nt.phred.org>
Subject: [CR]Faliero gossip/pix
Date: Sat, 12 May 2007 16:26:53 -0400
reply-type=original

RE: http://www.wooljersey.com/gallery/bees/bicoastalpimp/Faliberto_article_actual_si.jpg.html
> Bob,
> I understood you were referring to Signor Esposito, but I
> was just trying to help date the article. I still have to
> figure some time between 1985 and '86...

I agree... still, it'd be nice to know for sure. I hope Matteo responds to my question about what's printed on the reverse of these pages... there might be valuable clues there.


> As for us just hearing about this gentleman, I think from
> the language of the article it's clear that, in Italy, his
> relationship to the Masi family was an open secret. But
> remember, while Signor Masi is a sort of sainted figure to the
> members of this list, this list isn't _that_ large and, in
> Italy the Masis were merely "noted frame builders and mechanics
> from the Milanese scene..." :-)

Good point (about the list not casting that wide a net). Still, with a few Italian members (like Matteo) and American Masiphiles who make regular trips to Italy (Pergolilzzi, Maasland, Gephart, Honn, etc.), plus all the Italian sellers on eBay, it surprises me that we've had no word of this guy (or his bikes) before. I have to wonder if his tenure in the bike world was perhaps quite short... could be he was excluded from the market at some point (Confente used to talk about this... if the other builders didn't like you, or had some other motive to see you gone, you would suddenly find yourself unable to get components or even frame materials). Perhaps Alberto and Faliero considered him an embarassment and pulled a few strings?


> I suppose the really intersting
>thing is that the Masi family in Milan allowed Signor Esposito
>to use such a similar name for his bikes, the same fonts, etc.

I find this odd myself. I don't know what the copyright laws are like in Italy but using another manufacturer's logo (even one resurrected from the 70's, in the case of the head badge), to say nothing of the Prestige marque, would seem to be asking for trouble. I wonder if there was not some anger or resentment in his choice of a name and graphics.

Bob Hovey
Columbus, GA USA