Sold for £3,092
(including buyers premium)
Registration No: FHH 633K
Frame No: 470849
MOT: Exempt
After disagreements with his brothers, Giuseppe Benelli started building his own machines in Pesaro under the Moto B name in 1951, changing it to Motobi in 1956. They were best-known for their unusual egg-shaped engines, the performance versions being nicknamed “power eggs” by the Italians. One of the most popular models was the 173cc Catria four-stroke, overhead-valve single, which tuner Primo Zanzani developed into a factory road-racer. Said to achieve 75mph with a four-speed gearbox, it proved a popular machine for road races and hill-climbs across Italy. The original Benelli firm acquired Motobi in 1962, but discontinued it in 1976.
This very rare and beautiful 1972 Catria 175cc Sport was first registered for British roads in 2016, following its acquisition by the present collector owner. It was bought as a project, and in that time has benefited from a very sympathetic restoration which has also seen the installation of an original Motobi race engine from 1960 with a close ratio gearbox. The work was completed over the course of five years, since when the Motobi has been enjoyed for some 1,600 miles on the road, and has picked up several accolades at shows. The vendor describes it as a very quick machine which easily spins its back wheel, and it is supplied with the V5C and some spares and tools.
For more information, please contact:
Mike Davis
mike.davis@handh.co.uk
07718 584217
Auction: National Motorcycle Museum | Solihull, West Midlands, 25th Mar, 2026
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