1958 Moto Morini 250cc Bialbero Grand Prix Racing Motorcycle
Engine no. 85

• 1958 frame
• Later (1962) engine
• Run recently (video available)

"Many enthusiasts would argue that the DOHC 250 Morini, which reached a peak in 1963 when the might of Honda only just managed to vanquish the lone Italian single with Tarquinio Provini in the saddle, was the most outstanding design of its type ever conceived. Whether one subscribes to this particular theory or not, it is an indisputable fact that the bike was the fastest single-cylinder four-stroke of its capacity ever made." - Mick Walker, Classic Italian Racing Motorcycles.

Before the arrival of its v-twin roadsters in 1973, Morini's reputation had rested mainly on its highly successful single-cylinder racers that came within a whisker of snatching the 1963 250cc World Championship from mighty Honda. Founded in 1937, Alfonso Morini's company built two-stroke lightweights at first before developing a range of fast four-stroke roadsters during the 1950s, the first of which appeared at the Milan Show in November 1952.

Built in 1957, Morini's first effort in Grand Prix racing's 250 class was based on the successful 175cc Rebello sports roadster and featured chain drive to twin overhead camshafts, an arrangement that was soon superseded by a train of gears running up the cylinder's right-hand side. This new design was the work of engineer Nerio Biavati, formerly employed at Mondial. Two examples were built. In this form the bialbero (twin-cam) Morini won first time out in the 1958 Italian Grand Prix at Monza with works rider Emilio Mendogni in the saddle; his team-mate Gianpiero Zubani finished 2nd.

Development continued, with outings confined mainly to Italian Championship events, and by the start of the 1963 season Morini felt confident enough to launch a serious assault on the 250cc World Championship. Despite missing two rounds of the Championship, works rider Tarquinio Provini lost out by only two points, the title going to Honda-mounted Jim Redman. By way of consolation, Provini again won the Italian Championship. Provini was succeeded by Giacomo Agostini, soon snapped up by MV, followed by Angelo Bergamonti, who brought Morini its final Italian Championship title in 1967. In 1987 Morini was bought by the Castiglioni brothers (owners at that time of both Ducati and Cagiva) who later sold off the contents of Morini's race department (see copies of invoices on file).

The machine offered here incorporates a 1958 frame, acquired for the collection in 2000, which has been fitted with a later (1962) engine. Formerly part of the Enrico Bernardi Museum collection, this machine was displayed at the 2013 ASI Moto Show, and a video of it being run recently is available. The machine also comes with a selection of in-period photographs and hand-written notes concerning specification and set-up.

As with all Lots in the Sale, this Lot is sold 'as is/where is' and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding.