c.1973 Derbi 50cc Grand Prix Racing Motorcycle

• Possibly an Ángel Nieto Replica
• History and condition unknown
• Requires recommissioning

The name 'Derbi' first appeared in the early 1950s on a motorcycle built by Nacional Motor SA of Barcelona, Spain. The latter company was an offshoot of Bicicletas Rabasa, one of Spain's largest cycle manufacturers, which had been founded by Simeon Rabasa Singla in the early 1920s. Its first powered two-wheelers were marketed as 'SRS' (the founder's initials) but soon took the name 'Derbi' (from the phrase, 'derivados de bicicletas'). Derbi began racing in Spanish national events in the early 1960s, graduating to the international scene in 1962 coincidentally with the introduction of a 50cc class at World Championship level.

In 1968 Barry Smith achieved Derbi's first Grand Prix victory (albeit in a non-Championship event) and in '69 scored the marque's first World Championship success, taking the 50cc TT in the Isle of Man. Nevertheless, Derbi remained little known outside Spain until Ángel Nieto took the World 50cc Championship in 1969, a feat he repeated for the Spanish marque in 1970 and '72 in addition to taking the 125cc title for them in 1971 and '72. For 1973 the company produced a batch of 50 50cc 'Ángel Nieto Replicas' for privateers. (Lightweight motorcycles and mopeds, particularly the 50cc category, had always accounted for the bulk of Derbi's business, hence its concentration on these classes in road racing.) After the '72 season the factory took a sabbatical from Grands Prix, returning in the mid-1980s to provide Jorge Martinez with four World Championships that included his 80cc/125cc double in 1988.

Unfortunately, nothing is known of this Derbi racer's past history or condition, although it is possible it is one of the aforementioned Nieto Replicas. Purchased recently by the vendor, the machine has not been started and will require recommissioning before further use (the engine turns over). There are no documents with this Lot, which is sold strictly as viewed.
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