I was at first quite concerned that it was a fake, because of the wild paint, weird serial number, internally-routed brake cable and a lack of anything exactly like it in all the Cannondale catalogs - but the components were all period-correct, the decals correct, the 1987 catalog did mention factory-custom paint as an option with the label "competition" sprinkled around on what looked like special-order models; and it was in Newcastle PA when the factory is not a million miles away in Bedford PA. When I received it and got to take a firsthand look, the paint is really fantastic (for it's age) and the internal routing is not a hack, both look factory-done. If someone did "fake" it as a Cannondale, they went to a lot of trouble and made a really nice bike out of it!

Most importantly, the missus is chuffed and can't wait to get out on it - the "prime directive" and ultimate end-goal in this build (and any build!) - so all's good.