• SOHC production racer
• Believed raced by Nello Pagani
• Partially restored condition

Few marques have achieved so fine a competition record in so short a time as Mondial, the Italian company's period at the very top of Grand Prix racing encompassing the years 1949-51, plus a gloriously successful comeback in 1957.

Founded in Bologna in 1929, Mondial concentrated on the manufacture of commercial vehicles prior to WW2, only turning to motorcycle making in 1948 following a meeting between co-founder Guiseppe Boselli and engineer Alfonso Drusiani. Flying in the face of accepted wisdom, Drusiani believed that it was possible for a four-stroke to compete against the two-strokes - fielded by MV Agusta and Morini - then dominating the ultra-lightweight class. To obtain the necessary power output, Drusiani specified twin overhead camshafts for Mondial's 123cc single, driven from the crankshaft by shaft and bevel gears. Although the all-aluminium, unitary construction engine was state-of-the-art at the time, the Mondial racer's cycle parts were somewhat dated, consisting as they did of a spindly duplex cradle frame, blade-type girder forks, plunger rear suspension, and wheels and tyres of a narrowness more usually associated with autocycles. Nevertheless, the Mondial's maximum power of 11bhp allied to a dry weight of only 195lbs gave it a performance advantage that more than offset the deficiencies of its chassis. There was also a single-overhead-camshaft version built for sale to privateers.

After a successful debut season in 1948 which saw works rider Nello Pagani win the Italian Grand Prix, the little Mondial was further improved for 1949. Maximum power was raised to 13bhp and Pagani duly brought Mondial its first World Championship, winning two of the three rounds and finishing sixth in the other, which was won by team-mate Giani Leoni. Mondial's dominance of the 125-class remained just as overwhelming for the next two years, Bruno Ruffo taking the title in 1950 and Carlo Ubbiali in 1951, before Cecil Sandford struck back for MV Agusta in 1952.

The machine offered here is an example of Mondial's SOHC production racer. It is believed to have been raced by Nello Pagani at World Championship level in 1950, a season when Pagani's only works contract was with Gilera in the 500 class. Purchased by Giancarlo Morbidelli in its present condition, the machine appears partially restored apart from the rear mudguard, which carries Pagani's number. There are no documents with this Lot.