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LOT 418

1949 Moto Guzzi Airone 250 Registration no. YFO 774 Frame no. 14766 Engine no. M79963

Sold for £4,830 inc. premium

1949 Moto Guzzi Airone 250
Registration no. YFO 774
Frame no. 14766
Engine no. M79963

The 246cc Airone was in essence a revised 1934 P250 although, thanks to its upmarket charms, the Airone outsold the Guzzi 500 singles fourfold. Initially the Airone could muster less than 10bhp to pull a dry weight of 135kg (297lbs), and even by the time production ended in 1957 the Sport version could rustle up no more than 14bhp. Yet today the Airone is perhaps the nicest of the Guzzi lightweights to own. What makes it so pleasant to ride is the lack of vibration compared to the bigger singles, and fine suspension and brakes. The 200mm drums are 20mm bigger than the Turismo's and actually pretty much identical, along with the wheels and tyres, to the 32kg (70lbs) heavier Falcone 500.

The Airone offered a finish and specification that reflected its original status as a prestige machine. While smaller Guzzis were two-strokes built as cheap ride-to-work machines, the Airone Sport had alloy castings and a finish to give it the demeanour of the more expensive and prestigious Moto Guzzi 500s. The name – Airone means Heron – also makes clear the link to Moto Guzzi's 250 racers, the Albatros. The reflected glory once made the Airone Italy's best selling 250 but, although it was officially imported, in the UK it was as expensive as a Triumph Speed Twin so unsurprisingly failed to find a market. This particular machine is an older restoration and Italian import supplied without (unneeded) keys.

Footnotes

All lots are sold 'as is/where is' and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding.

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