c.1956 Gilera 175 Milano-Taranto
Believed to have been raced by Pietro Carissoni

Registration No: Un-Registered
Frame No: 101
MOT: Exempt

• Thought to have been a works bike raced by Pietro Carissoni
• Contemporary with Carissoni's victory in the last ever Milano-Taranto on a Gilera 500
• Beautifully restored with respect for originality

• The Road and Race Collection

The 1950s was the golden age of Italian road racing, and who would not wish for a time machine to go back and experience first-hand the speed, the glamour, the thrills and the intoxicating scent of hot oil? Motorists had the Mille Miglia and the Targa Florio, while for motorcyclists the greatest race of all was the Milano-Taranto. It had its origins in 1932, as the Mussolini Cup, when it covered 523 miles from Milan to Naples. From 1937, it was extended to Taranto, increasing the distance to 797 miles. After the war, it was restarted in 1950 simply as the Milano-Taranto. It ran through the night, and the only criteria for entry were a driver’s licence and a motorcycle. The final event was run in 1956, and won by Pietro Carissoni aboard his prodigious Gilera 500 Saturno. Sadly, the 1957 race was cancelled after Alfonso de Portago’s fatal accident in the Mille Miglia, and it never returned.

While that was a great loss to Italy’s motorcycle lovers, Gilera had already planned its retirement. Between 1950 and 1957, it was almost invincible, winning the Grand Prix World Championship every year bar 1951 and 1956, but the increasing uptake of cars in postwar Italy forced Gilera to tighten its belt, and it decided that it would have to cease its racing programme after 1957.

While the 500s had been Gilera’s conquering heroes, racers with a smaller budget could bask in some of the glory by racing in a smaller class, with bikes like this c.1956 Gilera 175 Milano-Taranto model. Reputedly, this one was part of the works team and raced by Pietro Carissoni himself, although obviously not in the Milano-Taranto. Sadly, there is no established provenance, but it is evident from its condition that it has been restored to a very high standard at some stage, with due respect for originality. Having been in a private collection since 2017, recommissioning will be required. Please note some import duties may be outstanding.

For more information, please contact:
Mike Davis
mike.davis@handh.co.uk
07718 584217