Velo City: Bicycle Culture and City Life

Masi Special Pista Oro

Masi Special Pista Oro

The latest frame to carry Faliero Masi’s legendary name and coat of arms looks as though it’s targeted directly at the MASH crowd rather than devoted Italophiles. And so it should. Both brand assets are owned by Haro Bikes, and the 2015 Evoluzione was bred for a new generation of road riders.

Here’s something that Faliero prepared earlier: a true Milanese track frame enriched with 24-karat gold, which will appeal to both new and old fans of the marque.

Masi Special Pista Oro

It may be more of a gridiron venue these days but the Vigorelli Velodrome has played host to the Beatles and Led Zeppelin and, in its heyday, a small workshop that housed Faliero ‘il sarto’ (The Tailor) Masi and his frame builders. There, famed racers like Coppi, Magni, Bobet, Anquetil and Merckx had received their bikes.

Masi Special Pista Oro

Masi participated in the 1931 and the 1932 Giro d’Italia and ended his racing career in 1946, concentrating on building frames and his reputation. The trademarked name and brand was sold to American investors in 1972 and Faliero travelled to the US to build frames for the new owners.

Masi Special Pista Oro

Faliero died on January 4, 2000 but not before passing the torch to his son, Alberto, who continues the legacy to this day. The frame presented here was built for Vicente López Carril, a Spanish rider with the KAS team during the 60s and 70s. His greatest palmarès was third place in the 1974 Tour de France. Primarily a road racer, Vicente contracted this frame for his excursions onto the track.

Masi Special Pista Oro

It was acquired from its resting place on show at a bike shop in Gijon, before it was closed last summer, by Javier Jubete, proprietor of Vintage Luxury Bicycles. Javier set about restoring it to a state more than befitting its significance. The frame was repainted in original colors before being equipped with a gold-plated Campagnolo Record gruppo and Cinelli cockpit.

The 545mm square bike is now for sale to serious collectors only, replete with rare NOS Super Champion rims and Clement Pistard tubular tires. To time your golden hour, a Heuer Trackstar 7 Jewel watch has been mounted on the bars.

See more photos and contact Vintage Luxury Bicycles on their website.

Masi Special Pista Oro