Contigo

This one is my size, but it certainly has its flaws. My main concern is the risk of a rusty BB. I asked the seller if he'd remove the bottom bracket and send photos, but got a non-responsive answer ("it spins fine").

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Masi-Gran-C...IAAOSwvNddV1ct

Seller isn't exactly forthcoming with information. Rust in the BB cable pathways could be from old galvanized cables? Considering the cost of a repaint, and dealing with the chrome, I think this might be a money pit at nearly any price.

Any thoughts on the rust risk?

sloar 

That chainstay scares me more than the bottom bracket. I wouldn't touch it without seeing it in person.

tmh657

^This. If the seller can't answer questions to your satisfaction just let it go. Not worth the hassle.

repechage

I think the bottom bracket will remove.
this is of the era middle later 80's - past the days of the cut outs.
The chainstay is hiding a lot of rust I think under the paint. These had clearcoat on the chrome, if one is lucky, removal of the clear will allow a nice result on the fork crown.
The price it is now is reasonable.
bigger frame, bigger box, might be a surprise $ wise to ship.
Especially if the seller does not remove the fork.
I would be more worried about poor packing and shipping damage than from anything I can see.

Contigo

There's an area of apparent rust just below the fork crown (left blade insert point) in photo 10. That's worrisome.

With the rust you can see, and the hints of rust you cannot, it seems prudent to expect the BB to be worse, not better, than imagined.

Oh well, I'm not sure this could improve on my Paramount anyway.

3alarmer 

...for future reference only: I've restored some really rusted frames out of a quixotic sense of adventure. Most of them turned out nice, and in particular I can remember how thoroughly packed with sand, grit, and the products of oxidation, was the BB shell of a Ron Cooper. That is now (repainted and rebadged) one of my favorite bicycles to ride.

BB shells and fork crowns have a lot of thickness to them, so once you remove and neutralize the rust, apart from any chrome never being shiny again, there's little problem in terms of frame function. The chainstay on this bike, as already pointed out, is much more problematic. If it has spent its life full of crap and rust, that's exactly where it would rust through (next to the insertion into the BB shell). That's an impossible fix without removal and re-brazing a new stay in there, which makes it a very expensive repair.

Anyway, you're already decided against it. Just meandering a bit.

Last ride 76 

My experiences jibe with this... Note: Seller says spindle spins smoothly. that's somewhat unlikely if rust laden. My guess is rust is on the outside, more than on the inside.

repechage

The market said $338. at that point in time plus shipping perhaps.