440756R Friday February 28, 2020 Tel: 013-754-1600 Giancarlo Morbidelli and the Morbidelli V8. World’s finest two-wheeled racing machines on auction “He spent day and night in the museum. Francisco and Sydney. They also have a the auction house to date. He had no other life!” - Gianni Morbidelli worldwide network of offices and regional This important collection was built up and on his late father Giancarlo. Bonhams, representatives in 22 countries. curated by the late Giancarlo Morbidelli, the founded in 1793, is one of the world’s A world-class selection of 200 post-war museum’s founder, motorcycle manufacturer largest and most renowned auctioneers, road and racing motorcycles from the and Grand Prix boss, over a period of 40 offering fine art and antiques, motor cars celebrated Morbidelli Motorcycle Museum years. and jewellery. The main salerooms are in Pesaro, Italy will be the centrepiece It represents the best of Italy, with an in London, New York, Los Angeles and of Bonhams’ Spring Stafford Sale, April emphasis on Italian marques, including Hong Kong, with auctions also held in 25 and 26 - the most significant private Knightsbridge, Edinburgh, Paris, San collection of motorcycles to be offered by Continued on page 2 440746NH 2 Friday February 28, 2020 From the genius hands of Giancarlo Morbidelli Other important Italian machines to be Continued from page 1 offered include • 1959 Benelli 250 Bialbero GP Mono, Benelli and Ducati. They represent the estimate £60,000 – 100,000. Apparently passion of the farmer’s son and former used by Silvio Grasseti, this machine was woodworking machinist who, while bought from John Surtees, seven-times building up a successful engineering motorcycling world champion, in the 1980s firm as his day job, spent his spare time then restored by Giancarlo. tuning, racing and later building his own • 1954 Mondial 175 Bialbero GP, estimate motorcycles. £40,000 – 60,000. Believed to be a factory machine as used in the the Italian Seniores 1964 Ducati 125cc 4-cylinder Grand Prix Championship in 1955 and 1956 by the likes racing motorcycle, estimate £400,000 – of Provini. 600,000 • 1959 Mondial Paton 250 Gran Premio, Top of the lot may well be the 1964 estimate £30,000 – 40,000. Built by 1959 Benelli 250 Bialbero GP Mono. Ducati 125cc 4-cylinder Grand Prix racing Giuseppe Pattoni, who produced a series motorcycle, estimate £400,000 – 600,000, of “over-the-counter” machines with a “mythical” racing machine created by the Mondial engines before setting up his own firm’s chief engineer, Fabio Taglioni. This eponymous manufacturer. motorcycle disappeared for some years The Morbidelli family will retain before its engine was found in Russia, ownership of the majority of the Morbidelli while its chassis reappeared in Yugoslavia, Grand Prix motorcycles, including the world now Croatia. With the two essential championship winning “giant killer” 125cc components reunited, Giancarlo rebuilt the and 250cc examples, raced respectively by fabled motorcycle. Paoli Pileri, Pierpaolo Bianchi and Lego As Gianni Morbidelli, Giancarlo’s son Mario, which saw off competition from and motor racing driver, said of his father: international corporations. “He was a genius with bikes. He did Ben Walker, international department everything by himself, working in a very director for Bonhams Collectors’ small room.” Motorcycles, said, “Giancarlo’s passion for machines is evident in his Grand Ex-Ambrosini 1950 Benelli 250cc Grand Prix involvement. His restorations were Prix racing motorcycle, est £120,000 – exceptional, he was a stickler for detail, and 180,000 a man of invention. This is very clear when In addition, on the Morbidelli grid looking at the collection. With the majority at Stafford will be a strong showing of of this collection being offered at ‘No Benelli motorcycles, a great passion of reserve’, this will be a unique opportunity Giancarlo, who hailed from Pesaro, where for motorcycle collectors and enthusiasts this historic brand was founded. Two from across the globe to bid for some truly examples are: the 1950 Benelli 250cc special lots and indeed, a piece of history.” Grand Prix racing motorcycle - the world championship motorcycle ridden to victory Ed: Hope that just looking at these bikes by Dario Ambrosini, which has an estimate gave all you local bike aficionados an of £120,000 – 180,000, and a 1964 Benelli energy lift. 250 Grand Prix racing motorcycle, ridden Original ex-Ambrosini 1950 Benelli 250cc and signed by two-time world champion Grand Prix Racing Motorcycle. 1964 Ducati 125cc 4-cylinder. Tarquino Provini. Estimate £80,000 – 120,000. 1959 Mondial Paton 250 Gran Premio. 1959 Benelli 250 Bialbero GP Mono 2. *$2$ Provini 1964 Benelli 250 Bialbero 4 cil. EDITOR FAX NUMBERS ADDRESS OFFICE HOURS MANAGEMENT Matthys Ferreira Editorial: 013-755-2414 PO Box 246 Mon-Thurs: 08:00-17:00 Regional manager: Marketing and PR: 083-455-5608 Classifieds: 013-754-1655 Nelspruit 1200 Friday: 08:00-16:00 Buks Esterhuizen Julia Burger Advertising: 013-752-4287 12 Stinkhout Crescent Accounts: 013-754-1655 Nelspruit 1200 Distribution manager: Monya Burger Friday February 28, 2020 3 Advanced tyres boost solar racers Bridgestone Corporation (Bridgestone) that realises high levels of fuel efficiency Autodealer Lowveld is is supplying solar car tyres using its fuel- and safety. efficient tyre technology to 32 teams The wider diameter limits changes in the participating in the 2019 Bridgestone World shape of the contact patch to yield lower Solar Challenge (BWSC). rolling resistance, which improves fuel back to business as usual Held in Australia once every two years, efficiency. the BWSC is the world’s foremost solar In addition, the narrower shape reduces air Matthys Ferreira better quality, but also significantly more car race. resistance while driving. expensive) and also again insert it into The 2019 race began on October 13 and This event partnership seamlessly The economy is Mpumalanga News. 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Towards the end of 2019, it was decided continue bringing you your weekly injection the low time. Never make your most to print Autodealer Lowveld on bond (much of news, reviews and the rest. RM-440747R 4 Friday February 28, 2020 Citroën DS23 Pallas. A classical beauty with fans and stats Matthys Ferreira the car, and Paul Magès developed the have the funds to put the prototype engine hydro-pneumatic self-levelling suspension. into production. The Citroën DS celebrates 65 years of After 18 years of secret development as In 1999 the DS placed third in the Car innovation and timeless design this year. It is the successor to the Traction Avant, the of the Century competition, and fifth on a front-engined front-wheel-drive executive DS 19 was introduced on October 5, 1955, Automobile Magazine’s “100 Coolest Cars” car, manufactured and marketed by the at the Paris Motor Show. In the first 15 listing in 2005. It was also named the most French company Citroën from 1955 to 1975. minutes of the show, 743 orders were taken, beautiful car of all time by Classic & Sports It was available with the body configurations and orders for the first day totalled 12 000. Car magazine after a poll of 20 world- of a sedan, station wagon and convertible During the 10 days of the show, the DS took renowned car designers, including Giorgetto across three series/generations.