c.1955 Maserati 125T2
Rare

Registration No: Unregistered
Frame No: A6186
Engine No: A6020
CC: 125
MOT: Exempt

• Rare motorcycle produced by Maserati in the 1950s
• Part of a collection of Italian classics for a number of years
• Restored a few years ago with a good degree of originality
• Maseratis own 125cc single cylinder two stroke engine
• Fitted with a CEV speedo but original 'Maserati' badged one included
• Will need recommissioning before use

Maserati, more famous for manufacturing cars, began their association with two wheels when Carlo Maserati started his engineering career building single cylinder engines to mount on bicycles, working from a workshop just outside Milan. During the First World War Alfieri Maserati, on completing his military service, set up a spark plug factory in Milan and in 1937 the Orsi family acquired the Maserati concern. When the home market showed signs of an increasing need for cheap motorised transport, especially on two wheels, Maserati decided to enter the motorcycle market by taking over the established Italmoto factory in Bologna. In 1953 all motorcycle production was transferred to the Maserati factory in Modena, with early production of motorcycles consisting of the 160cc four-stroke previously produced by Italmoto but now sporting the Trident logo and renamed the Tipo 160/T4. The company established a new department to design and produce their own bikes and the first model, the L/125/T2, was influenced greatly by the German DKW design. Over the following years several new models were introduced with engine sizes varying from 50 cc to 250 cc but in 1957 news of serious financial difficulties within the Orsi group began to leak out. This was followed by the news of Maserati's withdrawal from Formula One and other official competition. In 1960 the banks decided to 'pull the plug', marking the end for motorcycle manufacturing and the Maserati trident would in future only be seen on four-wheeled vehicles.

The 125 T2 model has Maseratis own 2 stroke engine in a typically stylish and sporty looking chassis with aluminium brake hubs front and back. Restored to a good degree of originality by the vendors classic car company a few years ago, and displayed since, it will need some recommissioning before use. Currently fitted with a period correct CEV speedo, a rare original speedo with the Maserati trident logo on the face is included in the sale together with a new genuine con rod kit. Also supplied is a copy of a Maserati parts book that actually covers the 50cc version but can still be useful for the chassis parts.

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