Wayne,
The small number is a date code... from around 1975 on, Alberto stamped the date below the frame size in a smaller (1/8") stamp. The format was year, then month (tho he changed to month/year in January 1990). So in this case it would indicate a production date of March 1988.
I've been told that the number above the frame size on 80's Italian 3V's is a tube type designator. I'm not sure what to make of this, because if it were the case, this number should repeat... but it doesn't seem to on the bikes I've seen. I suspect it may actually be a production number but I'm not sure.
Bob Hovey
Columbus, GA USA
http://bhovey.com/
While the subject of 3V ID is active, I thought I'd lob a grenade into the mix, and see what it exposed. I have a 3V that was supposedly custom built in Italy for a local DC racer in about 1985 or thereabouts. I bought the bike from the original owner, Andy Wirth, who verbally gave me what little info I have, including telling me about his trip to the Vigorelli to start the process. Unfortunately, Andy is no longer with us, so no way to get any additional info. What's interesting is the stamping in the BB shell. Just below the tube line is the number 733. Below that, at the transition to the wider BB sleeve is stamped AW56. Just below that in smaller characters is stamped 883. I think we can assume that the AW56 is for Andy Wirth and the frame size, which is indeed 56cm. So, any ideas what the other numbers signify? Maybe the 883 means it was build in '83, 8th custom frame? What about the 733? Does anyone know of other custom 3Vs with initials in the stamping?
Nothing like a good Masi puzzle to keep people busy.
--
Wayne Bingham
Velo Classique
PO Box 2069
Purcellville, VA 20134 USA
540-338-8376
http://www.veloclassique.com