Bonhams Bicester Heritage Summer Sale August 2020

Giancarlo Morbidelli and the Morbidelli V8 - Bonhams Bicester Heritage Summer Sale August 2020

Bonhams Bicester Heritage August 2020 Summer Sale is one for motorcycle collectors. With 200 post war racing and road bikes are available at the auction.

Of huge significance is the sale of the Morbidelli Motorcycle Museum in Pesaro, Italy. This represents the most significant private collection that Bonhams have hosted to date. The Summer Sale taking place on the 14-16 August both live and online.

The late Giancarlo Morbidelli built the collection over a number of years. Not just a museum owner, Giancarlo was a motorcycle manufacturer and Grand Prix team boss. This collection spans a period of over 40 years and contains not just Morbidelli’s own machines, but the best of Italy. Ducati and Benelli are prominent features.

The star lot is a 1965 Ducati 125cc Grand Prix racing motorcycle 4-cylinder with an estimate of between £400,000 – 600,000). This machine was created by the firm’s chief engineer, Fabio Taglioni.

Having been missing for many years Giancarlo found the engine in the technical museum in Riga, Latvia, and the frame in the former Yugoslavia. From this he managed to rebuild the bike. A small multi cylinder motorcycle engine is an absolute marvel and this one is no exception, and this was Ducat’s first. The only built one of these bikes, so there is no way of getting another.

As Gianni, Morbidelli’s son and motor racing driver, said of Giancarlo: “He was a genius with bikes. He did everything by himself, working in a very small room.”

1965 Ducati 125cc 4-cylinder GP - Bonhams Bicester Heritage Summer Sale August 2020

1959 Benelli 250 Bialbero GP Mono

One of only four built, Giancarlo bought this motorcycle from seven times Motorcycle Grand Prix world champion John Surtees back in the 1980s. An estimate of a sale price between £60,000 – 100,000 is expected.

1959 Benelli 250 Bialbero GP Mono - John Surtees

1950 Benelli 250cc Grand Prix Racing Motorcycle

The 250cc world championship Benelli ridden by Dario Ambrosini is also going under the hammer as part of the collection. It is expected to make between £120,000 – 180,000.

1950 Benelli 250cc Grand Prix Racing Motorcycle - ex-Ambrosini

1959 Mondial Paton 250 Gran Premio

The Mondial Paton was built by Giuseppe Pattoni, who started out making customer machines fitted with Mondial engines. Eventually he set up his own before setting up as a complete manufacturer in his own right.
A very nice-looking machine and a comparative bargain at the estimated £30,000 – 40,000.

1959 Mondial Paton 250 Gran Premio

British motorcycles are also well represented, with marques such as Norton and Matchless. But also Hondas from Japan are features of the sale.

Much memorabilia is also included, Giancarlo’s own reference library, drawings, trophies, signage and other artefacts from the world of Motorcycling.

Many of the Morbidelli motorcycles have been retained by the Morbidelli family including the world championship winning ‘giant killer’ 125cc and 250cc examples, raced respectively by Paoli Pileri, Pierpaolo Bianchi and Lego Mario.

Ben Walker, International Department Director for Bonhams Collectors’ Motorcycles, said: “We are very proud to have been entrusted with the sale of this stunning collection, carefully put together over 40 years by Giancarlo Morbidelli, which is a fitting tribute to this master of the motorcycling world.

“Giancarlo’s passion for machines is evident in his Grand Prix involvement. His restorations were exceptional, he was a stickler for detail, and a man of invention. This is very clear when looking at the collection.

“With the majority of this collection being offered at ‘No reserve’, this will be a unique opportunity for motorcycle collectors and enthusiasts from across the globe to bid for some truly special lots and indeed, a piece of history.

“We expect international interest from collectors and enthusiasts who will give the motorcycles a new lease of life in other collections and homes around the world.”

The sale is live but taking place behind closed doors. A live auctioneer taking phone and internet bids, as with the left in advance absentee bids. The motorcycles from the Morbidelli Motorcycle Museum Collection will be offered on Sunday 16 August, with spares and memorabilia from the collection being offered on Friday 14 August.