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LOT 599 N

1961 Motobi 125cc Imperiale Sport Frame no. IS 433590 Engine no. 3544

Sold for £2,875 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve
Lot 599N

1961 Motobi 125cc Imperiale Sport
Frame no. IS 433590 Engine no. 3544

1961 Motobi 125cc Imperiale Sport
Frame no. IS 433590
Engine no. 3544

The now-defunct Italian manufacturer Motobi is closely related to Benelli. In 1949 the eldest of the six Benelli brothers, Giuseppe, left to found his own company: Moto 'B' Pesaro, later Motobi. The latter's first design was a 98cc single-cylinder two-stroke lightweight with horizontal engine, a layout that would characterise its offerings from then onwards. In the early 1950s a new range of all-aluminium engines was introduced whose profile resembled that of an egg or rugby ball, and this style was deliberately retained when Motobi switched to overhead-valve four-strokes towards the decade's end. Apparently original and un-restored, this Imperiale Sport is powered by Motobi's trademark egg-shaped engine, in this case a 125cc four-stroke single. The latter was claimed to produce 9.8bhp, sufficient to propel the 93kg (205lb) Imperiale Sport to a top speed of 110km/h (68mph). There are no documents with this machine, which shows a total of only 59km on the odometer.

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.

Saleroom notices

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  • 12 August 2020, 13:00 - 17:00 BST

Lot symbols

NNOVA 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.

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