An extremely rare 1958 Moto Morini 250cc Bialbero Grand Prix motorcycle was sold at auction in Paris for a mind blowing 126 500 euro (north of R2.5 million).
Moto Morini was founded by Alfonso Morini in Bologna Italy in 1937. Morini had his sights on racing in the Grand Prix in the 250cc class; he built a successful 175cc Rebello sports roadster in 1957. It was a twin overhead camshaft chain driven motorcycle.Â
In 1958 this exact twin-cam motorcycle won the Italian Grand Prix at Monza on its first time out, piloted by works rider Emilio Mendogni. Mendogni was an Italian Grand Prix racer who had his best race year in 1952 when he won two races and took 3rd overall in the 125cc World Championship. Throughout his career he had 11 starts, 3 wins and 5 podiums.Â
A handwritten notebook came with the bike. It was details of the results of multiple completed races and detailed info on the specifications and racing set-up. Also included were a few in-period photos. The later fitted 1962 engine has been run recently and is still in good order.
A later edition of this bike, still running the 1958 frame with a 1962 engine came very close to winning the 250cc World Championship in 1963. Tarquinio Provini was beaten by the legend himself Jim Redman on his four-cylinder Honda by only two points. Â
Quite the impressive machine! A little bit of rare motorcycle history.
