The "Soviet" 3V's were just a commerative of the fact that the Soviet team rode Masi's at one point. The Soviet's did not ride the 3V however.

The Soviet frames were part of a trio of special commerative limited edition frames that were sold over time by Masi USA. They included an Olympic series of 200 with a Greek font as primary, a transfer tour de force, with decals everyewhere, and the 60th anniv. Diamond Jubilee edition of 100 or 200, don't remember, with less than stellar graphic appeal, but interesting paint.

The recent small run of 3V's that were made here are I am sure are well made and ride well, but the external seat stay caps, and socket dropouts leave me flat. The completely white seat tube also just reads 80's KHS to me. They should re-issue the Gran Criterium as seen in the earlier 70's...and not with the Henry James lugs as sourced in the 80's... do it in Faema colors...buy the lugs from Richard Sachs even... Tim? are you reading this?