c.1953/1954 FB Mondial 160 Turismo Lusso

c.1953/1954 FB Mondial 160 Turismo Lusso
Engine no. *9693*
Few marques have achieved so fine a competition record in so short a time as Mondial, the Italian company's period at the very top of Grand Prix racing encompassing the years 1949-1951, plus a gloriously successful comeback in 1957. F.B. Mondial was founded in the aftermath of WW2 by the Boselli family, whose first venture into powered transport had been with the FB (Fratelli Boselli) three-wheeled delivery van in the 1930s. The name 'Mondial' first appeared on a motorcycle in 1948 when the Boselli brothers introduced a revolutionary double-overhead-camshaft 125 cc racer. Mondial's miniature masterpiece duly brought the Manerbio, Bologna manufacturer its first World Championship the following year and proved equally dominant in 1950 and 1951. After a relatively lean spell, Mondial returned to Grand Prix glory in 1957, taking both the 125 cc and 250 cc World Championships. The last all-Mondial street bikes left the factory in 1960.

Its quality was workmanlike and thus long lasting, the performance, however, can only be described as adequate. While the model was in production for a number of years output was certainly limited.

Today, such a motorcycle is rare and even though the quality of this bike's restoration is high it's not to precisely original, stock specification. This neat example has been in long term storage and thus will demand necessary safety checks before started and ridden again.