Founded in Bologna in 1929 by the Boselli brothers (FB = Fratelli Boselli), Mondial manufactured commercial vehicles at first, only turning to motorcycles in 1948. Flying in the face of accepted wisdom, engineer Alfonso 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. After a successful debut season in 1948 that saw works rider Nello Pagani win the Italian Grand Prix, the little overhead-camshaft Mondial was further improved for 1949, and Pagani duly brought Mondial its first World Championship. Mondial's dominance of the 125cc class remained just as overwhelming for the next two years, Bruno Ruffo taking the title in 1950 and Carlo Ubbiali in 1951. The 175cc class was an important one in continental Europe and the 125 was duly bored-out from 53mm to 66mm to achieve the required extra capacity. Revving to 9,000rpm, it produced 20bhp-plus. Riding one of the new 175cc Mondial singles in 1954, rising star Tarquinio Provini won the arduous eight-day 1,989-mile Moto Giro d'Italia to start his debut season as a works rider in fine style. Presented in long-distance road-racing trim, complete with lights, this nicely presented Mondial 175 is an older restoration. There are no documents with this Lot.