c.1956 Gilera 150 Sport
No Reserve

Registration No: Un-Registered
Frame No: 18-1715
MOT: Exempt

• Built for the1957 Milano Taranto
• Rear set footrest and controls
• Alloy rims and a single race seat

The Italian motorcycle manufacturer Gilera was founded in Arcore in 1909 by Giuseppe Gilera and is still in existence today after the company was purchased by the Piaggio group in 1969. After the second World War Gilera dominated Grand Prix motorcycle racing, winning the 500cc road racing world championship six times in eight years, but after facing a downturn in motorcycle sales due to the increase in the popularity of automobiles, they quit Grand Prix racing after the 1957 season. Gilera also participated in the classic long distance road races popular in the 1940s and 1950s, the most famous one for motorcycles being the 'Milano-Taranto' around northern Italy. The 1956 race was won by Pietro Carissoni on a Gilera 500 but in 1957, just ten days before that year's race was due to start, it was cancelled in the wake of the tragedy in the Mille Miglia car race in which a driver, a co-driver and nine spectators, including five children, had died. This signalled the end of open road racing in Italy, but since 1987, a historical re-enactment has taken place annually based on the original route.

This Gilera 150 is said to have been prepared by Team Villanova to take part in the ill fated 1957 Milano Taranto race that was cancelled at the last minute. Unable to compete in the 'race that never was', it was subsequently used in many other events before forming part of a collection in Italy. It is typically Italian in style with modifications for competition use such as the race seat, alloy rims, rear set footrest and controls, ace bars and a faired in rear mudguard. The engine number is 195-1584, suggesting it is a Sport model. An interesting bike to parade in classic events, it will be supplied with a NOVA number to aid future registration.

For more information, please contact:
Ian Cunningham
ian.cunningham@handh.co.uk
07415871189