c.1958 Parilla 250 Gran Sport Frame no. 700118 Engine no. 700126

c.1958 Parilla 250 Gran SportFrame no. 700118Engine no. 700126
• Beautiful Parilla 250 high-cam single of the late 1950s• Handmade aluminum full 'dustbin' fairing and hump seat• Rare example of one of Italy's finest 250 single road racers• Renowned for its magnificent, bellowing exhaust noteGiovanni Parrilla was a Spaniard who grew up in Italy. (That's two 'r's in his surname although the motorcycle has only one 'r.') He was one of many new motorcycle manufacturers who sprung up after World War 2. Part of his technical education came when he bought a Norton Manx and took it apart. The company's approach to styling was distinctive and they have joined a few other Italian small displacement bikes as the favorites of collectors. Based in Milan, Parilla gained broad acclaim with the introduction of the famous high-cam models in 1953 and grew rapidly with a range of machines between 125 and 350 cc. When Parilla decided to enter the growing market in the U.S. for off-road motorcycles, it did so by adapting its road-going models with appropriate changes to the frame, gearing, body work, exhaust system and tires. Cosmopolitan of Philadelphia was the importer. For maximum performance it based the new 175 cc machine it called a Wildcat on the legendary MSDS/Gran Sport racer which had won its class in the 1957 Motogiro d'Italia. The Wildcat shared most of its running gear with the sport tourer Lusso Veloce in the Italian market and Speedster in the United States. With larger Dell'Orto SS25A carburetor the Wildcat produced 13 horsepower at 8,700 rpm. By 1960, however, a chain driven, high-cam 250 was quoted at 26 horsepower at 9,500 rpm with a 28 mm carburetor increasing the performance now available by a measure. The Gran Sport motor has a 'square' cylinder with a bore and stroke of 68mm for 247cc built around a 4-speed gearbox with Ceriani front fork and twin rear shocks and handsome drum brakes. 'In fact, the high-cam Parillas was only really successful in Stateside events, during the early 1960s, the 250 model was often the bike to beat. This was due, in no small part, to the performance of Norris Rancourt on the Orrin Hall machine.'This Gran Sport being offered has little provenance. Although very well assembled and finished its precise specification is not clear. The 'dustbin' fairing and seat are aluminum as are the wheel rims. The bike is frankly gorgeous – properly drilled for lightness, polished and painted appropriately. The 'half-round' chronometric tach is by Smiths but labeled Parilla. A tank decal sits between the loops that would hold onto a chest pad, and offers up 1957, 1958 and 1958 successes; and a proud 'Made in Italy' decal. The bike carries a 2nd International Moto Parilla Days sticker from 1999 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, patina, completeness and originality prior to bidding. It should be run through the necessary safety checks before being started and run.

Offered on a Bill of Sale. As with all Lots in the Sale, this Lot is sold 'as is/where is' and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding.