A world class collection of road and racing motorcycles from the celebrated Morbidelli Motorcycle Museum in Pesaro, Italy, will be the centrepiece of Bonhams’ annual Autumn Stafford Sale on 18 – 20 October.
About 300 motorcycles representing every decade of the 20th century were built up by the museum’s founder, motorcycle manufacturer and Grand Prix boss Giancarlo Morbidelli, over 40 years and constitute the largest single private collection of motorcycles to be offered by Bonhams to date.
Including international brands such as Harley-Davidson, Honda and Benelli, the machines range from immaculate restorations to prototypes and barn finds.
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.
Highlights of the collection include two examples from the Morbidelli Grand Prix racing motorcycle collection, largely designed and built by Giancarlo, all fabricated by a small but dedicated team in a corner of the Morbidelli woodworking factory.
However, these proved to be giant killers, seeing off international corporations to claim the 125cc Grand Prix World Championship in three consecutive years between 1975 and 1977, as well as winning the 250cc world title in 1977.
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.
“Forty years ago he laid the foundation of this incredible museum, spending a lot of effort, time, energy and money.
“One part of the museum is dedicated to the period between the end of the 1960s to the 1980s when he built racing motorcycles. It’s our family heritage, a part of our life, but we thought it would be correct to include in the sale two Morbidelli motorcycles that my father built.”
Bonhams will offer the 1974 Morbidelli 125cc Grand Prix motorcycle (estimate £80,000 – £120,000) raced by the great Angel Nieto to second place in that year’s Spanish and German Grand Prix, as well as a 250cc machine designed for the 15-time Grand Prix world champion Giacomo Agostini, who rode for the team during its golden period in 1976, gaining a second place at Misano (estimate £60,000 – £100,000).
However, the Morbidelli family will retain ownership of the majority of the Morbidelli Grand Prix motorcycles, including the world championship winning 125cc and 250cc examples, raced respectively by Paoli Pileri, Pierpaolo Bianchi and Lego Mario.
Not surprisingly, the Morbidelli Museum collection in the sale features a strong showing of Benelli motorcycles which were also a great passion of Giancarlo, coming from Pesaro, where this great historic brand was also founded.
One of the most interesting examples of the marque on offer is the 1942 250cc supercharged four-cylinder example (estimate £400,000 – £600,000), a racing machine that never actually raced. It was built just in time for motorcycle racing to be stopped due to the war, while supercharging was banned by the FIM in post-war years. Giancarlo had a personal relationship and friendship with the Benelli family and so was able to procure the original parts which he rebuilt into a fully-functioning motorcycle.
Other Benellis to be offered include:
• 1950 Benelli 250cc Grand Prix racing motorcycle – the world championship motorcycle ridden to victory by Dario Ambrosini. Estimate £120,000 – 180,000.
• 1934 Benelli 175cc Bialbero – believed raced by Dorino Serafini, one of only three in the world. Estimate £40,000 – 60,000.
• 1964 Benelli 250 Grand Prix racing motorcycle, ridden and signed by two-time world champion Tarquino Provini. Estimate £80,000 – 120,000.
Another jewel of the Morbidelli Collection is the 1964 Ducati 125cc four-cylinder Grand Prix racing motorcycle, (estimate £400,000 – £600,000), another GP racing machine which never raced. Created by Fabio Taglioni, Ducati’s chief engineer, this motorcycle disappeared for some years before its engine was found in Russia while its chassis reappeared in Yugoslavia, now Croatia. With the two essential components reunited, Giancarlo rebuilt the mythical motorcycle.
Alongside the pristine restorations, there are several unfinished projects in the sale, offering the opportunity to restore these machines as Giancarlo was hoping to.
The collection also comprises motorcycling memorabilia including Giancarlo’s own reference library, original drawings, trophies, signage and other artefects, giving a complete picture of the museum and the motorcycling world.
Ben Walker, International Department Director for Bonhams Collectors’ Motorcycles, said: “This is the largest single collection to be sold by Bonhams and as such means that we will extend our autumn sale to three days for the first time. The majority of the collection will be offered at ‘no reserve’, which is extremely exciting.”