c.1950 FB Mondial 125cc
Frame no. 136
Engine no. 136

Few marques have achieved so fine a competition record in so short a time as FB Mondial. FB Mondial was founded in the aftermath of WW2 by the Boselli family, whose first venture into powered transport had been with the FB (Fratelli Boselli) three-wheeled delivery van in the 1930s. The name 'Mondial' first appeared on a motorcycle in 1948, when the Boselli brothers introduced a revolutionary double-overhead-camshaft 125cc racer. Mondial's miniature masterpiece duly brought the Bologna manufacturer its first World Championship the following year and proved equally dominant in 1950 and '51. After a relatively lean spell, Mondial returned to Grand Prix glory in 1957, taking both the 125cc and 250cc World Championships. Not surprisingly, Mondial's passion for racing rubbed off on its road range, which was exquisitely engineered and beautifully constructed in a manner unmistakably Italian. The overhead-valve 125cc FB Mondial offered here previously formed part of a private collection near Milan, Italy. An older restoration, the machine would make a superb acquisition for any collection and a welcome entry in next year's Moto Giro d'Italia. It should require only light re-commissioning and the usual safety checks before being ready for use, and would respond well to detailing. Whilst there are no documents with this machine, the NOVA declaration has been completed.