A world-class selection of 200 post-war road and racing motorcycles from the celebrated Morbidelli Motorcycle Museum in Pesaro, Italy will be the centrepiece of Bonhams Summer Sale taking place on 14-16 August at Bicester Heritage – the most significant private collection of motorcycles to be offered by the auction house to date.
This important collection was built up and curated by the late Giancarlo Morbidelli, the museum’s founder, motorcycle manufacturer and Grand Prix boss, over a period of 40 years, and represents the best of Italy, with an emphasis on Italian marques, including Benelli and Ducati.
They represent the passion of the farmer’s son and former woodworking machinist who, while building up a successful engineering firm as his day job, spent his spare time on tuning, racing and later building his own motorcycles.
In pole position as the top lot is a 1964 Ducati 125cc 4-cylinder Grand Prix racing motorcycle, (estimate £400,000 – 600,000), a ‘mythical’ Grand Prix machine created by the firm’s chief engineer, Fabio Taglioni. This motorcycle disappeared for some years before its engine was found in the Technical Museum in Riga, Latvia, while its chassis reappeared in Yugoslavia, now Croatia. With the two essential components reunited, Giancarlo rebuilt the fabled motorcycle.
As Gianni, Morbidelli’s son and motor racing driver, said of Giancarlo: “He was a genius with bikes. He did everything by himself, working in a very small room.”
In addition on the ‘Morbidelli grid’ at Bicester will be a strong showing of Benelli motorcycles which were a great passion of Giancarlo, who hailed from Pesaro, where this great historic brand was also founded.
Two examples are: the 1950 Benelli 250cc Grand Prix racing motorcycle – the world championship motorcycle ridden to victory by Dario Ambrosini, which has an estimate of £120,000 – 180,000 and a 1964 Benelli 250 Grand Prix racing motorcycle, ridden and signed by two-time world champion Tarquino Provini. Estimate £80,000 – 120,000.
Other important Italian machines to be offered include:
1959 Benelli 250 Bialbero GP Mono, estimate £60,000 – 100,000
One of only four built, this machine was bought from John Surtees, seven-times motorcycling world champion, in the 1980s, then restored by Giancarlo.
1954 Mondial 175 Bialbero GP, estimate £40,000 – 60,000
This is an ex-factory machine ridden in the Italian Senior Championship in 1955/1956 by Tarquinio Provini among others. The machine was restored in the Morbidelli Museum workshop with the exception of the original fairing and rear enclosure, which retain their original factory paintwork.
1959 Mondial Paton 250 Gran Premio, estimate £30,000 – 40,000
Built by Giuseppe Pattoni, who produced a series of ‘over the counter’ machines with Mondial engines before setting up his own eponymous manufacturer.
As well as Italian marques the collection also comprises international brands such as Norton, Honda and Matchless, the machines range from immaculate restorations to prototypes and barn finds, as well as several unfinished projects in the sale, offering the opportunity to restore these machines as Giancarlo hoped to.
Motorcycling memorabilia also features, including Giancarlo’s own reference library, drawings, trophies, signage and other artefects, giving a complete picture of the museum and the motorcycling world.
The Morbidelli family will retain ownership of the majority of the Morbidelli Grand Prix motorcycles, including the world championship winning ‘giant killer’ 125cc and 250cc examples, raced respectively by Paoli Pileri, Pierpaolo Bianchi and Lego Mario, which saw off competition from international corporations.
Ben Walker, International Department Director for Bonhams Collectors’ Motorcycles, said: “We are very proud to have been entrusted with the sale of this stunning collection, carefully put together over 40 years by Giancarlo Morbidelli, which is a fitting tribute to this master of the motorcycling world.
“Giancarlo’s passion for machines is evident in his Grand Prix involvement. His restorations were exceptional, he was a stickler for detail, and a man of invention. This is very clear when looking at the collection.
“With the majority of this collection being offered at ‘No reserve’, this will be a unique opportunity for motorcycle collectors and enthusiasts from across the globe to bid for some truly special lots and indeed, a piece of history.
“We expect international interest from collectors and enthusiasts who will give the motorcycles a new lease of life in other collections and homes around the world.”
The sale will be a Live ‘Behind-Closed-Doors’ auction. The auctioneer will be present on the rostrum as usual, and bids will be accepted in the following formats: online, on the phone, or by leaving an absentee bid. All bidding will be conducted remotely via a live stream online and in accordance with the latest government guidelines. Pre-sale viewing of all lots is by appointment only. Live and interactive video condition reports and enhanced online ‘walk around video’ content will be available for bidders.
The sale is not taking place at The Stafford County Showground following the recent announcement that The International Classic MotorCycle Show, scheduled for the 15 & 16 August, has been cancelled. The motorcycles from the The Morbidelli Motorcycle Museum Collection will be offered on Sunday 16 August, with spares and memorabilia from the collection being offered on Friday 14 August.
No comment yet, add your voice below!