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Three-hundred motorcycles from the Morbidelli museum in Italy, including a 250 GP machine ridden by the legendary Giacomo AgostiniA world-class collection of road and racing motorcycles from the celebrated Morbidelli Motorcycle Museum in Pesaro, Italy will be the centrepiece of a Bonhams autumn auction in the UK from October 18-20.
Comprising approximately 300 motorcycles, and representing every decade of the 20th century, the collection was built up by the museum’s founder, motorcycle manufacturer and Grand Prix boss Giancarlo Morbidelli, over a period of 40 years, and is the largest single private collection of motorcycles to be offered by Bonhams to date.
According to Giancarlo’s son Gianni, ““He spent day and night in the museum. He had no other life!”
Hence the massive collection which also includes hardware from such brands as Harley-Davidson, Honda, Suzuki, Triumph, Ossa, Moto Guzzi, Brough Superior, Norton, and Benelli, which was founded in Pesaro.
The condition of the auction bikes ranges from immaculate restorations to prototypes and barn finds.
Ago’s Morbidelli
Highlights of the collection include two examples from the Morbidelli Grand Prix racing motorcycle collection, largely designed and built by Giancarlo, all fabricated by a small but dedicated team in a corner of the Morbidelli woodworking factory.
These proved to be giant killers as they claimed the 125 GP world title from 1975-1977, as well as claiming the 250 GP spoils in 1977.
Those machines are the:
1. The 1974 Morbidelli 125 GP bike (estimate $A140,000-$215,000) raced by the late Angel Nieto to second place in that year’s Spanish and German grands prix; and
2. A 250cc machine for 15-time Grand Prix world champion Giacomo Agostini, who rode for the team in 1976, gaining a second place at Misano (estimate $105,000-$178,000).
The Morbidelli family will retain ownership of the majority of the Morbidelli Grand Prix motorcycles, including the world championship-winning 125cc and 250cc examples, raced respectively by Paoli Pileri, Pierpaolo Bianchi and Lego Mario.
Memorabilia as well
The collection also comprises motorcycling memorabilia including Giancarlo’s own reference library, original drawings, trophies, signage and other artifacts.
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