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Carlo Guzzi's first prototype motorcycle of 1919 was unconventional in so far as its single-cylinder engine was installed horizontally, and by the end of the 1930s the 'flat single' had established itself as a Guzzi hallmark. The importance of racing as a means of publicising Carlo Guzzi and Giorgio Parodi's fledgling marque had been recognised right from the start, at least by the latter, but it would be several years before the firm offered versions of its works racers for sale to the public.

Moto Guzzi's first successful customer racer was the pre-war Condor, introduced in 1938. The Condor was constructed along Guzzi's familiar lines, but boasted an aluminium-alloy cylinder barrel and 'head, magnesium crankcases, close-ratio gearbox and an entirely new frame built of aircraft-quality tubing. The Condor weighed around 44lbs less than the preceding GTC clubman's racer and with 28bhp on tap could exceed 100mph. A miserly fuel consumption of around 45mpg at race speeds proved greatly to the Condor's advantage in the long-distance road races of the period.

After WW2 the Condor was revamped for 1946 as the Dondolino (rocking chair), gaining a more powerful (33bhp) engine and shedding a few pounds to tip the scales at 282lbs in race trim. A larger (260mm) front brake was new for 1947. The pre-war v-twin was works team's favoured mount in the 500cc class in the late 1940s, despite which a Dondolino customer-bike ridden by Enrico Lorenzetti proved good enough to win the 1946 Swiss Grand Prix. The Dondolino remained in production until 1951.

An older restoration (the engine turns over), this Dondolino was purchased by our vendor in Italy in December 2001 (copy invoice on file). Unfortunately, nothing else is known of the history of this machine, which is nonetheless believed to be eligible for a wide variety of prestigious Historic events.

Offered unregistered and without registration documents. Following a period of inactivity, this motorcycle will require recommissioning and/or restoration to a greater or lesser extent before returning to the road and thus is sold strictly as viewed. Prospective purchasers should satisfy themselves with regard to this motorcycle's completeness, history, authenticity, originality and mechanical condition prior to bidding.
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