c.1956 Gilera 499cc Saturno Corsa Piuma Racing Motorcycle

Les Grandes Marques du Monde à Paris|1 February 2024, 12:30 CET|Paris, The Grand Palais Historique

c.1956 Gilera 499cc Saturno Corsa Piuma Racing Motorcycle
Engine no. 26922

In the late 1940s Gilera built a limited number of Competizione versions of their 500cc Saturno roadster, and this model resulted in the more highly developed San Remo racer that featured a more powerful engine, blade girder fork and full-width front hub. Ridden by major stars of the day, the San Remo established an enviable competition record, proving capable of beating multi-cylinder rivals around tighter circuits on numerous occasions. The design's next development, the Corsa, arrived in 1951 boasting a revised engine with increased finning and a larger sump. A telescopic front fork and conventional hydraulically damped rear shock absorbers made their first appearance on this model, giving rise to the name Piuma (feather) because of the ease of handling these advances conferred. This Gilera racer is presented in restored condition. No documents.

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.

Footnotes

c.1956 Gilera 499cc Saturno Corsa Piuma Racing Motorcycle
Moteur n°26922

A la fin des années 1940, Gilera construisit un petit nombre de versions Competizione de sa 500 cm3 Saturno de tourisme, dont il ressortit une version course bien plus élaborée, la San Remo ; celle-ci était équipée d'un moteur plus puissant, d'une fourche en tôle à parallélogramme et d'un moyeu avant élargi. Pilotée par les plus grands de son époque, la San Remo accumula un palmarès enviable et montra à de nombreuses reprises qu'elle était capable de battre des multicylindres sur des circuits tortueux. La version suivante de la même veine, la Corsa, arriva en 1951, dotée d'un moteur revu, aux ailettes de refroidissement et au carter d'huile agrandis. Une fourche avant télescopique et des amortisseurs arrière hydrauliques conventionnels firent leur apparition sur ce modèle et furent à l'origine du surnom de Piuma (la plume), dû à la facilité qu'apportaient ces éléments à la maîtrise de la moto. Cette Gilera de course a fait l'objet d'une restauration. Pas de documents.

De même que tous les lots de cette vente, ce lot est vendu 'en l'état et à l'endroit où il se trouve' et les enchérisseurs doivent en vérifier la provenance, l'état, l'âge, la complétude et l'authenticité avant d'enchérir.

Saleroom notices

The frame number is 26922 (stamped in a non-factory location).

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