1961 Parilla 350cc Bialbero Racing Motorcycle

• Discovered in the USA
• Formerly part of the Enrico Bernardi Museum collection
• An older restoration

Giovanni Parrilla produced his first motorcycle in 1946, dropping his surname's second 'r' to call the machine a Parilla. That first Parilla motorcycle - a 250cc overhead-camshaft single-cylinder racer - was the work of Ing. Giuseppe Salmaggi, who already had the Gilera Saturno to his credit. Giovanni Parrilla was a big Norton fan so the 250 racer's engine employed a bevel-driven overhead-camshaft just like the British manufacturer's Manx. There the similarity ended, for the Parilla was a thoroughly modern design boasting unitary construction of the engine/transmission and geared primary drive. The new power unit went into a welded loop-type chassis featuring a single down-tube, girder front fork and plunger rear suspension. (Later versions had a telescopic fork and swinging-arm suspension.) Making its debut on 1st October 1946, the Parilla could claim to be Italy's first new racing motorcycle since the war. In 1947 Salmaggi came up with an improved twin-cam (bialbero) version of the racer. A 350 'double-knocker' was introduced in 1950 and the bialbero Parillas gave a good account of themselves in the Italian long-distance races of the day as well as at Grand Prix level.

Formerly part of the Enrico Bernardi Museum collection, this restored Parilla 350 Bialbero was discovered in the USA by Giuseppe Rottighi and is believed unique. The engine features a late Manx Norton-type cylinder head and is said to produce 33bhp. A spare head comes with it.



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.