Originally Posted by
BlueDevil63
Not to hijack the thread but I just picked up a 3V myself. Serial number, in very small type below the size number on the BB, is 845. Based on the fork crown and serial number I believe this is an Italian built 3V from May of 1984. I think it is one of the very first built in Italy for the US market. It is a CycleArt repaint but I believe the graphics are correct for the bike. repechage from these few pictures does my assessment seem correct?
That is what it looks like. From a time when Italy and the USA were making amends. The 3V was too good to be denied the US market, and a deal was cut. From comments by Joe Starck, he went to the Vigorelli at some point, maybe to to be talked through the assembly procedure or just to trade file marks. a bit after this bike's date the the 3V's were being made in the USA. Later with different sourced lugs as the "engraving" changed.