1954 Mi-Val Tipo MO Mivalino

171cc Motocarrozzetta 2-stroke Engine
Single Bing Carburetor
9bhp at 5,000rpm
4-Speed Manual Transmission
Independent Coil Spring Suspension
Mechanical Drum Brakes

*Exceedingly original time-capsule condition with excellent pedigree
*Rare and desirable, Italian-licensed Messerschmitt microcar
*One of just about 100 examples made
*Offered with original Certificate of Origin, owner's manual and other paraphernalia


METALMECCANICA ITALIANA VALTROMPIA S.p.A.

In the early 1950s, as Europe was getting back on its feet and onto motorized vehicles in both big and small fashion, Metalmeccanica Italiana Valtrompia S.p.A., of Brescia, Italy - maker of Mi-Val motorcycles - took a license to produce the German Messerschmitt KR 175 Kabinenroller. Components for the Messerschmitt variant were imported from Germany, but Mi-Val used their own 171.7-cubic centimeter Motocarrozzetta two-stroke engine and production began towards the end of 1954. Nicknames "Mivalino," the charming microcar enjoyed a certain vogue, and was later used in movies such as The Adams Family due to its character. Production, however, was fairly short-lived, ending in 1955 or '56, and it is believed that no more than 100 were made.


THE MOTORCAR OFFERED

This highly original and exceedingly rare Mivalino must be one of the best-preserved examples of the just 100 or so made. This charming little Italian 'Bubbletop' came from the family owning the oldest Ford dealership in Rome, which was also a Mi-Val dealer. As the original owners, they drove it barely 300 kilometers, kept in their inventory for decades while never titling it, and ultimately, it has only exceeded to the 324 kilometers recorded on the odometer today. The Mivalino later became part of the famed Bruce Weiner Microcar Museum, until purchased by the consignor, a noted US collector of the finest European sports and racing cars, in 2013.

The microcar remains in outstanding original condition, and shows just a light, charming patina on the appropriate light green paint and dark green interior. The Mivalino has not been run in some time, although the drivetrain is clean and equally well preserved. Remarkably, the bubbletop see-through canopy remains in excellent original condition as well. The Mi-Val badging is intact, as are the instruments and handlebar grips. The original spare tire is housed in the tail. The tremendous documentation includes copies of some of the original promotional literature, the original certificate of origin from Metalmeccanica Italiana Valtrompia S.p.A., tools and owner's manual, and other Italian language documents that typically do not remain with cars of any stature. This charming Mivalino is a rare find indeed.