Lot details
Registration No: N/A
Frame No: 999012
Engine No: T.B.A.
cc: 499
MOT Expiry Date: N/A

The Lino Tonti designed twin cylinder Bianchi was announced to the world on the last day in March, 1960, when selected journalists were told at a dinner held at the Bianchi factory of its existence. Claimed to produce 34 bhp at 11,500 rpm the new machine would spearhead an assault by Bianchi on the World Championship and provide the basis for subsequent 350 and 500 class machines. Early reliability issues did not prevent Tonti form proceeding with the design of the larger 348.2cc machine, which made its debut at the 1960 Italian GP held at Monza. Bob McIntyre joined the team for 1961 but the season started much as the previous one had finished with mechanical failures frustrating the Bianchi squad despite the 350 showing real promise, however at the Dutch TT at Assen the teams fortunes improved with McIntyre securing victory and Brambilla fourth place with the two riders securing third and fifth places respectively at the following round, the East German Grand Prix. At Monza the team ran a 386cc version during practice, hinting at future plans. 1962 saw McIntyre riding for Honda and the Bianchi team concentrating on the domestic championships; however for 1963 the team was joined by former MV rider Remi Venturi who went on to secure a string of good results with both the 350 and the "overbored" 500 class machines. For 1964 Tonti unveiled a "full" premier class machine with a displacement 498.06cc which took Venturi to victory ahead of the works MV's and Gilera's at Modena in March. With a claimed 72bhp at 10,200rpm the 500 went on to secure victory in the 1964 Italian Championship and achieve some good results in the classics, unfortunately, Bianchi, like many of their rivals were suffering from the downturn in motorcycle sales, resulting in an administrator being appointed and a halt to the factory racing efforts with the majority of the bikes being sold to Italian and German buyers to raise funds.
The example offered was purchased in 1965 by Max Raab as Remo Venturi's bike and was sold to the present owner as such. It has spent all its life in Germany since being purchased direct from the factory in 1965. The present owner, also in Germany purchased the bike two years ago. It has recently benefitted from an engine rebuild two years ago carried out by a mechanic from BMW at which time new pistons, valves etc were installed and is described as being in good running order. It offers a rare opportunity for the enthusiast to purchase an example of an extremely rare, factory Grand Prix bike from the sports Golden Age.