c.1951 Moto Rumi Scoiattolo (Squirrel)
No Reserve

Registration No: Unregistered
Frame No: Not visible
Engine No: Not visible
CC: 125
MOT: Exempt

• This rare Moto Rumi Squirrel has formed part of a private collection
• Owned by Mike Webster for many years
• The ideal winter restoration project
• With just a handful known to exist
• There is no documentation with this lot
• An extremely rare scooter

Rumi of Bergamo in northern Italy were an established industrial company long before the scooter boom of the 1950s. They were involved in metal foundry products for private, government and military markets. The anchor on the later Rumi logo and badge refers back to the company’s history and previous involvement with the manufacture of naval equipment during the second world war. Motorcycle production using the now legendary two stroke twin engine fitted to almost all Rumi two wheelers started with a prototype in 1949. Production of motorcycles ranged from basic touring style machines through to full factory supported racing machines. With Piaggio and Inoccenti showing success with their scooters it was an obvious decision to get involved with smaller wheeled machines. The first scooter Rumi produced was the Scoiattolo (squirrel). It was a clever idea as it used many parts already in production for the motorcycles including forks, hubs, and nacelle and the proven excellent two stroke twin engine. Whilst the Scoiattolo proved to handle well and was a very practical machine Rumi needed a scooter design more in tune with the times. The Formichino addressed this and the aluminium bodied small wheeled range is so unique that it demands attention for its looks and performance. These where the quickest 125cc factory produced scooters of the time and were available in Standard, Sport and Bol d’or versions. With an enthusiastic international following Rumi scooters are very collectible today.

This Red Scoiattolo (Squirrel) has been owned by the vendor for over 50 years. It is a very rare early version from between 1950 to 1952 with undamped ‘skinny front forks’, no damping front and back and a 3 speed gearbox. It looks to be complete and a very worthy restoration or conservation project. Mike Webster is one of the longest standing members and is the official historian of the VMSC (Vintage Motor Scooter club). He has had several books published including Classic Scooters (Paragon, 1997) and Motor Scooters (Shire, 1986).

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