LOT 122 *N

The Connoisseurs Collection, Part III c.1955 Garelli 38cc Mosquito & Willier Bicycle Registration no. not registered Frame no. not visible Engine no. 430268 Crankcase mating no. 576

Sold for £747.50 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve

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Lot 122^*,N

The Connoisseurs Collection, Part III, c.1955 Garelli 38cc Mosquito & Willier Bicycle

Motorcycles Online - The Summer Sale|15 June 2026, 14:01 BST|Online, Milton Keynes

The Connoisseurs Collection, Part III
c.1955 Garelli 38cc Mosquito & Willier Bicycle
Registration no. not registered
Frame no. not visible
Engine no. 430268 Crankcase mating no. 576

This Lot has arrived in the UK from overseas under Temporary Admission. Shippio Ltd must complete all post-sale customs clearance administration, for import or export, on behalf of the purchaser. A compulsory fee of £195 + VAT will be added to the buyer's invoice for this service. This Lot may not be collected from the auction venue by the purchaser or any third-party transporter until Shippio Ltd has confirmed that this Lot has cleared customs.

If this Lot is to remain in the UK, or is not exported within 90 days of the sale, Import VAT at 5% of the hammer price will be payable.

The late 1940s and early 1950s were austere times in Europe, where a populace worn down by six years of war was eager to get its hands on any kind of motorised transport, no matter how modest. This period was the cycle motor's heyday, one of the most successful designs being the Mosquito, which was produced by the famous Garelli factory in Italy. Described by a contemporary road tester as 'an attractive little power unit that can be fitted in a few minutes to any standard bicycle', the first Mosquito was fixed to the bicycle frame beneath the bottom bracket and drove the rear wheel by means of a friction roller. Of 38cc capacity, the original Mosquito weighed a mere 21lb and was fuelled by a separate tank typically mounted on a luggage rack above the rear wheel. Top speed of a Mosquito-equipped bicycle was reckoned to be around 20mph. It a gruelling publicity stunt, a team of eight riders thrashed a Mosquito for 55 days and nights around the Pau circuit in France, covering 25,000 miles at an average of 19mph! Later developments included a 49cc version with centrifugal automatic clutch, the Mosquito Centrimatic, which was attached to the bicycle by means of welded-on brackets.

This Mosquito is attached to a Wilier bicycle and is presented in restored condition.

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.
Key not required

Footnotes

BUYER'S PREMIUM
The Buyer's Premium for this Lot is 15%+VAT on the first £500k of the Hammer Price, and 12%+VAT on the balance thereafter.

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.

CONDITIONS OF SALE, AUCTION INFORMATION & GUIDE FOR BUYERS
Please see the 'CONDITIONS OF SALE, AUCTION INFORMATION & GUIDE FOR BUYERS' at the top of the main sale page (Motorcycles Online - The Summer Sale) for all pertinent information regarding bidder's obligations, viewing, bidding, payment, post-sale collection & transportation.

REQUEST A TRANSPORT QUOTE
To request a UK or European Motorcycle shipping quote visit Moving Motorcycles.
To request an International Motorcycle shipping quote visit Shippio.
To request a Memorabilia and Spares shipping quote visit Mail Boxes Etc - Milton Keynes.

Additional information

This auction is now finished. If you are interested in consigning in future auctions, please contact the specialist department. If you have queries about lots purchased in this auction, please contact client services.
Buyers' Obligations
ALL BIDDERS MUST AGREE THAT THEY HAVE READ AND UNDERSTOOD BONHAMS' CONDITIONS OF SALE AND AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THEM, AND AGREE TO PAY THE BUYER'S PREMIUM AND ANY OTHER CHARGES MENTIONED IN THE NOTICE TO BIDDERS. THIS AFFECTS THE BIDDERS LEGAL RIGHTS.
If you have any questions about the Conditions of Sale, please contact your nearest client services team.
From 28 June 2025, the import into the EU of non-EU property of a certain age (and in some categories above a certain value) is subject to additional requirements. Under the relevant EU Regulation, it is the Buyer's sole responsibility to assess whether any Lot meets the criteria for import into the EU. The refusal of any required Import License or Importer Statement, or any delay in obtaining such License or Statement shall not give rise to the rescission or cancelation of any Sale, nor allow any delay in making full payment for the Lot.
Buyers' Premium and Charges
Like the vast majority of auctioneers Bonhams charge a Buyer's Premium on the Hammer Price of each Lot purchased and this is subject to VAT. Some lots may also be subject to VAT on the Hammer Price and these lots will be clearly marked with a symbol (†, Ω, *) printed beside the lot number.
For Automobilia the Buyer's Premium is 28% on the first £40,000 of the hammer price; 27% of the hammer price of amounts in excess of £40,001 up to and including £800,000; 21% of the hammer price of amounts in excess of £800,001 up to and including £4,500,000 and 14.5% of the hammer price of any amounts in excess of £4,500,001.
For Motor Cars and Vehicle Registration Numbers the Buyer's Premium will be 15% on the first £500,000 of the hammer price of each Lot, and 12% on the balance thereafter.
A 3rd party bidding platform fee of 4% + VAT of the Hammer Price for Buyers using the following bidding platforms will be added to the invoices of successful Buyers for auctions starting on or after 6th July 2024 – Invaluable; Live Auctioneers; The Saleroom; Lot-tissimo.
VAT at the standard rate is payable on the Buyers Premium by all Buyers, unless otherwise stated.
Payment Notices
For payment information please refer to the sale catalog.
Shipping Notices
For information and estimates on domestic and international shipping as well as export licences please contact Bonhams Shipping Department.

*	Import low rate
	VAT on imported items at a preferential rate of 5% on Hammer Price and the prevailing rate on Buyer's Premium.
N	NOVA declaration
	This machine is subject to post-sale customs administration and, for UK Buyers, a NOVA declaration. Whilst the responsibility of submitting the NOVA rests with the Buyer to do so, Bonhams will facilitate the process by engaging an agent (SHIPPIO) to undertake the NOVA and C88 (customs) application if applicable on the Buyer's behalf. A fee to do so will be added to the Buyer's invoice, as follows: for Live Public Sales: £350 + VAT; for Timed, Online-only Sales: £195 + VAT.

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10 June 2026, 09:00 - 17:00 BST
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*	Import low rate
	VAT on imported items at a preferential rate of 5% on Hammer Price and the prevailing rate on Buyer's Premium.
N	NOVA declaration
	This machine is subject to post-sale customs administration and, for UK Buyers, a NOVA declaration. Whilst the responsibility of submitting the NOVA rests with the Buyer to do so, Bonhams will facilitate the process by engaging an agent (SHIPPIO) to undertake the NOVA and C88 (customs) application if applicable on the Buyer's behalf. A fee to do so will be added to the Buyer's invoice, as follows: for Live Public Sales: £350 + VAT; for Timed, Online-only Sales: £195 + VAT.

United Kingdom

Three bound volumes for The Autocar 1914 & 1915, and The Motor, 1909,

£600 - £800

The Connoisseurs Collection, Part III, c.1955 Garelli 38cc Mosquito & Willier Bicycle

The Connoisseurs Collection, Part IIIc.1955 Garelli 38cc Mosquito & Willier BicycleRegistration no. not registeredFrame no. not visibleEngine no. 430268 Crankcase mating no. 576

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The Connoisseurs Collection, Part III
c.1955 Garelli 38cc Mosquito & Willier Bicycle
Registration no. not registered
Frame no. not visible
Engine no. 430268 Crankcase mating no. 576