So, I'm looking at this Nuova Strada. I was kinda under the impression that all the NS were built under contract in Italy. The serial on this one looks USA-ish, sort of. Seems to be C 208 (sidewise)5 2. It's a small frame and the 52 is reasonable for 52cm. The C208 ? Built in Italy, stamped in SoCal ?
The "M" cutout looks like Billato to me, but ......
​​​​​​Wadda ya think ? And yes, it's really grungy.

From Bob Hovey's site: https://bhovey.com/Masi/Nationality.htmAnother

Another easy call: If your bike is a Team 3V, it is American. But not necessarily American built... it may have been built elsewhere under subcontract (probably by Billato or Mondonico), but it is considered a US bike.

The same goes for the Gran Corsa and Nuova Strada... they were US bikes, but were never built here. They were built in Italy (again, probably by Billato or Mondonico), imported as bare frames, then numbered, painted and decaled here by Jim Allen.

Yeah but that's a strange looking # for a NS with them supposed to be post-1985.

Anyways ....

It is strange. This is from my 1985 NS that I no longer own (sorry, a little blurry):

And the size:

BTW: I believe 1985 was the only year in came in blue with SL tubing.

The least they could’ve done is filed off the Cinelli logo. That seems lazy.

Who does that ?

Here's another one and different again (from FB)

And another (mine). With, of course, yet another bottom bracket

Considering that the frame was most likely made by a subcontractor, not Masi themselves. That frankly seems like a moot point.

Masi used Cinelli Stem and bars often.
no one was asking for that logo to be removed. keeping in mind that 3ttt Did a special run of bars for Masi about 1972-73 and coordinated the Masi signature milling on the stem.

And here's another. Mid-80's 52cm NS with 6spd Chorus. Looks like 62 254
Delightfully confusing HAHAHAHA

An NOS condition Nuova Strada in Columbus SLX-SP. Stamped 62cm but I think measures more like a 60cm. Any guesses as to year of manufacture greatly appreciated. What does the X stamp mean, maybe Made in Italy for Export?

The white one above 0731 was mine at one time. I got it from the original owner who said that she got it in '87. Regular Masi numbering at that time would make it a '90. Looks like a Billato serial. Billato frames were measured c-t. The "X" is for the SLX
Best as I can tell there is next to no info on the Nuova Strada. You're on your own.
Mr. Hovey says:
One further note: After 1985 or so, you will probably see the same numbering schemes on the other models that became part of Masi’s line (not all of which were built in San Marcos… some were subcontracted to Mondonico or Billato). These include the Gran Corsa, Nuova Strada, Record Crono, 3V, Team 3V, and a few elusive Titanium frames. While some of these bikes retained the four digit numbering scheme that had been in use with the Gran Criterium, some did not. In addition to the previously mentioned exceptions, some of the special edition bikes had unusual numbers as well. These special editions include the “Russian” 3V, the “Barcelona Olympic” 3V and the 60th Anniversary “Jubilee” 3V.