Offered from the Morbidelli Museum collection
c.1950s Racing Hydroplane

Goodwood Members' Meeting Sale: Event Cancelled: All Lots Listed Still Available for Sale until 17:00 GMT Sunday 29th March|29 March 2020, 13:00 BST|Chichester, Goodwood

Offered from the Morbidelli Museum collection
c.1950s Racing Hydroplane

*Twin carburetors
*Twin-cylinder engine
*Single-seater hydroplane

Footnotes

The Morbidelli factory was founded in Pesaro, Italy by Giancarlo Morbidelli in the aftermath of WW2. Morbidelli's line of business was manufacturing woodworking machinery, which provided the means to fund his passion for motorcycle racing. Morbidelli's first foray into Grand Prix racing came in 1969 and the company would remain active well into the 1980s, by which time it had won the 125cc World Championship four times and the 250cc crown once.

Offered from the Morbidelli Museum collection, this single-seater racing hydroplane is something of a mystery, as nothing is known of its origins or history. The only clue is a badge fixed to the hull bearing the legend 'Toulousain Hors Bord Club' (Toulouse Speedboat Club). It has a plywood hull and is powered by a twin-cylinder water-cooled two-stroke outboard motor equipped with twin carburettors and the most gorgeous-looking expansion-chamber exhaust system. All Morbidelli's Grand Prix motorcycles were two-strokes so it is possible this engine was built by Morbidelli. One thing is certain, when it fires up the noise will be loud enough to waken the dead! There are no documents with this Lot, which is sold strictly as viewed.

Additional information

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28 March 2020, 09:00 - 17:30 GMT
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