Premium pages left without account:

Auction archive: Lot number 114•

1967 Wards-Benelli 250cc Sport Frame no. 12937 Engine no. 11480

Estimate
US$0
Price realised:
US$4,095
Auction archive: Lot number 114•

1967 Wards-Benelli 250cc Sport Frame no. 12937 Engine no. 11480

Estimate
US$0
Price realised:
US$4,095
Beschreibung:

The brothers Benelli, all six of them, started their association with motor engineering in 1911, in their native Pesaro, as mechanics and small-time parts makers. When WWI arrived, they began producing car and aircraft parts for the Italian military, and their reputation as competent machinists grew. Their first foray into two-wheel manufacture was a clip-on motor of 98cc, which proved unsuitable by dint of its great power, soon destroying the attached bicycle! Their first proper motorcycle appeared in 1921, and while 5 of the brothers took care of design, manufacturing, sales, and management, youngest Tonino had a passion for racing, and by 1923 Benellis began competition under the youngest son, with excellent results. Rapid improvements into overhead-cam (1927) and double-overhead-cam (1932) racers meant Benelli was certainly visible in the European market. By 1936 their dohc four-cylinder supercharged Grand Prix 250cc was making quite an impression worldwide. Post-war, the factory continued its emphasis on racing prowess, winning the 250cc world championship on a dohc single, with Dario Ambrosini aboard. Production centered on the 125cc Leoncino (‘little lion’), available in two- and four-stroke form, and a 250cc vertical twin, the Leonessa. In 1959, a new ohv 172cc single-cylinder machine was introduced, which became the mainstay of Benelli production for the next 10 years, growing into a 250cc and finally a 350cc machine over time. The design was considered an absolutely ‘typical’ Italian motorcycle – light, simple, reliable, with lively power and excellent handling, and of course, graceful styling. As the American market grew in importance for overseas manufacturers in the 1960s, the Cosmopolitan Motors became the US importer, and began to re-badge the Benellis for sale via the large department store chain Montgomery Wards, and were now called the ‘Riverside’. All obvious references to the great Italian marque were replaced by ‘Wards’ and ‘Riverside’ logos, which is how most of these lovely little machines are found today. As Montgomery Wards has long since folded, most of these machines now revert to their illustrious maiden name, which is perhaps as it should be. This lovely 250cc Benelli has been restored to ‘Sport’ specification, with low-rise ‘bars, a suede seat, quick-fill gas cap, chromed exhaust, and saucy leather tank hold-down strap. Without reserve

Auction archive: Lot number 114•
Auction:
Datum:
9 May 2009
Auction house:
Bonhams London
Carmel, Quail Lodge Quail Lodge's West Field 7000 Valley Greens Drive (at Rancho San Carlos Rd) Carmel CA 93923 Tel: +1 415 391 4000 Fax : +1 415 391 4040 motors.us@bonhams.com
Beschreibung:

The brothers Benelli, all six of them, started their association with motor engineering in 1911, in their native Pesaro, as mechanics and small-time parts makers. When WWI arrived, they began producing car and aircraft parts for the Italian military, and their reputation as competent machinists grew. Their first foray into two-wheel manufacture was a clip-on motor of 98cc, which proved unsuitable by dint of its great power, soon destroying the attached bicycle! Their first proper motorcycle appeared in 1921, and while 5 of the brothers took care of design, manufacturing, sales, and management, youngest Tonino had a passion for racing, and by 1923 Benellis began competition under the youngest son, with excellent results. Rapid improvements into overhead-cam (1927) and double-overhead-cam (1932) racers meant Benelli was certainly visible in the European market. By 1936 their dohc four-cylinder supercharged Grand Prix 250cc was making quite an impression worldwide. Post-war, the factory continued its emphasis on racing prowess, winning the 250cc world championship on a dohc single, with Dario Ambrosini aboard. Production centered on the 125cc Leoncino (‘little lion’), available in two- and four-stroke form, and a 250cc vertical twin, the Leonessa. In 1959, a new ohv 172cc single-cylinder machine was introduced, which became the mainstay of Benelli production for the next 10 years, growing into a 250cc and finally a 350cc machine over time. The design was considered an absolutely ‘typical’ Italian motorcycle – light, simple, reliable, with lively power and excellent handling, and of course, graceful styling. As the American market grew in importance for overseas manufacturers in the 1960s, the Cosmopolitan Motors became the US importer, and began to re-badge the Benellis for sale via the large department store chain Montgomery Wards, and were now called the ‘Riverside’. All obvious references to the great Italian marque were replaced by ‘Wards’ and ‘Riverside’ logos, which is how most of these lovely little machines are found today. As Montgomery Wards has long since folded, most of these machines now revert to their illustrious maiden name, which is perhaps as it should be. This lovely 250cc Benelli has been restored to ‘Sport’ specification, with low-rise ‘bars, a suede seat, quick-fill gas cap, chromed exhaust, and saucy leather tank hold-down strap. Without reserve

Auction archive: Lot number 114•
Auction:
Datum:
9 May 2009
Auction house:
Bonhams London
Carmel, Quail Lodge Quail Lodge's West Field 7000 Valley Greens Drive (at Rancho San Carlos Rd) Carmel CA 93923 Tel: +1 415 391 4000 Fax : +1 415 391 4040 motors.us@bonhams.com
Try LotSearch

Try LotSearch and its premium features for 7 days - without any costs!

  • Search lots and bid
  • Price database and artist analysis
  • Alerts for your searches
Create an alert now!

Be notified automatically about new items in upcoming auctions.

Create an alert