LOT 412 N
c.2000 Mondial 999cc Piega Registration no. not UK registered Frame no. 00025 Engine no. to be advised
Estimate: £12,000 - £18,000
Lot 412N
c.2000 Mondial 999cc PiegaRegistration no. not UK registered Frame no. 00025 Engine no. to be advised
The Autumn Stafford Sale: The Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show|20 October 2019, 11:00 BST|Stafford, Staffordshire County Showground
c.2000 Mondial 999cc Piega
Registration no. not UK registered
Frame no. 00025
Engine no. to be advised
Registration no. not UK registered
Frame no. 00025
Engine no. to be advised
• One of only circa 150 made
• Honda VTR1000 SP1 engine
• 15,037 kilometres from new
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. Nevertheless, by the late 1950s sales had begun to decline, and in 1960 the last all-Mondial motorcycle left the factory. Proprietary engines would be used thereafter and Mondial soldiered on for the next two decades before production ceased in 1979.
Some 20 years later, in 1999, the rights to Mondial were purchased by newspaper tycoon and motorcycling enthusiast, Roberto Ziletti. In 2000, Ziletti asked Honda to supply engines for the new Mondial Piega, the unit chosen being that of the VTR1000 SP1 World Superbike Championship 'homologation special'. This was the first occasion that the Japanese company had agreed to supply engines to a rival; it is said because Mondial had supplied Soichiro Honda with one of its racers back in the 1950s. Sadly, this new beginning would turn out to be a false dawn and the fledgling company folded in July 2004. The firm was sold on and the following year production was restarted by Gruppo Mondial Srl.
The Piega featured a tubular-steel trellis frame, Paioli upside-down forks, Öhlins rear suspension, and Brembo brakes, while the SP1 engine was up-rated with Mondial's own special exhaust, air box, and fuel injection system, producing 140bhp at the crankshaft. We are advised by the vendor that this particular Piega was displayed at the Intermot show in 2000, having been specially prepared by the factory with HRC engine parts, full carbon-fibre bodywork, and radial brakes. Boasting excellent build quality and a reliable Honda engine, the Piega was produced in strictly limited numbers, an estimated 150 having been made by the time production ceased. Currently displaying a total of 15,037 kilometres on the odometer, we are advised the machine will have been inspected and run immediately prior to the sale.
• Honda VTR1000 SP1 engine
• 15,037 kilometres from new
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. Nevertheless, by the late 1950s sales had begun to decline, and in 1960 the last all-Mondial motorcycle left the factory. Proprietary engines would be used thereafter and Mondial soldiered on for the next two decades before production ceased in 1979.
Some 20 years later, in 1999, the rights to Mondial were purchased by newspaper tycoon and motorcycling enthusiast, Roberto Ziletti. In 2000, Ziletti asked Honda to supply engines for the new Mondial Piega, the unit chosen being that of the VTR1000 SP1 World Superbike Championship 'homologation special'. This was the first occasion that the Japanese company had agreed to supply engines to a rival; it is said because Mondial had supplied Soichiro Honda with one of its racers back in the 1950s. Sadly, this new beginning would turn out to be a false dawn and the fledgling company folded in July 2004. The firm was sold on and the following year production was restarted by Gruppo Mondial Srl.
The Piega featured a tubular-steel trellis frame, Paioli upside-down forks, Öhlins rear suspension, and Brembo brakes, while the SP1 engine was up-rated with Mondial's own special exhaust, air box, and fuel injection system, producing 140bhp at the crankshaft. We are advised by the vendor that this particular Piega was displayed at the Intermot show in 2000, having been specially prepared by the factory with HRC engine parts, full carbon-fibre bodywork, and radial brakes. Boasting excellent build quality and a reliable Honda engine, the Piega was produced in strictly limited numbers, an estimated 150 having been made by the time production ceased. Currently displaying a total of 15,037 kilometres on the odometer, we are advised the machine will have been inspected and run immediately prior to the sale.
Footnotes
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.
Additional information
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- 19 October 2019, 09:00 - 17:00 BST
- 20 October 2019, 09:00 - 17:00 BST
Lot symbols
| N | NOVA declaration |
| If purchased by a UK resident, this machine is subject to a NOVA declaration, whilst the responsibility of submitting the NOVA rests with the Buyer to do so, Bonhams will facilitate the process by engaging an agent (SHIPPIO) to undertake the NOVA and C88 (customs) application if applicable on the Buyer's behalf. A fee of £350 + VAT to do so will be added to the Buyer's invoice. |
