Lot details
Registration No: N/A
Frame No: 0010
Engine No: 0010
cc: 500
MOT Expiry Date: N/A

The success of the Aermacchi 250 and 350 racers prompted the Italian motorcycle designer Lino Tonti, best known for the design of the Moto Guzzi V7 Sport and his work at Bianchi, to examine the possibility of a 500cc machine based on the singles. Unlike the factory's own attempts, which concentrated on building larger capacity versions of the 350cc single for the premier class ranging from 382cc to 402cc, Tonti opted for a twin cylinder machine using a pair of 1968 type Aermacchi 248.3cc cylinders and heads on a specially designed crankcase housing a specially made four bearing crankshaft. The 250cc Aermacchi single also provided the valve gear, camshafts, pistons and conrods. Drive was taken off the centre of the crankshaft via a geared primary drive to a six speed gearbox and dry clutch. Two prototypes were built, making their debut at Rimini in April 1968 with Giuseppe Mandolini and Pagani. Although neither finished their light weight, equal to that of a Matchless G50 single and pace, the prototypes reputedly producing 61 bhp, promised a great deal prompting further development aided by the financial backing of Umberto Premoli.
By the beginning of the 1969 the Linto was sufficiently developed to prompt the production of 15 machines for sale to leading privateers with two being retained for Pagani and Jack Findlay as "works" bikes. The cycle parts had benefitted from the previous season's development with Ceriani suspension being employed front and rear on the 1969 bikes together with twin leading shoe Fontana drum brakes fore and aft. The engine was, by 1969, delivering a claimed 64 bhp breathing through two 35mm carburettors, however, despite the successes of the first season, which had seen Pagani secure second at the East German Grand Prix followed by a win at the 1969 Italian Grand Prix at Imola, the Linto failed to make a significant impression with Pagani eventually switching to an MV Agusta in 1971 after a frustrating 1970 season.
The example offered is number 10 and was returned to Italy 28 years ago by the Italian collector Gianni Perrone after he discovered it in Argentina. It is presented in original, unrestored condition, apart from the outside of the original fairing being painted and new decals being applied to the fuel tank., although the engine was reportedly running when it entered the museum in Japan where it has subsequently been displayed. It offers a unique opportunity to acquire such a highly collectable and rare piece of racing machinery from one of the golden eras of Grand Prix racing.